2 Thessalonians 3
3
Paul Asks for Prayer
1Now I want to talk about some other matters. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honor it just as you did. 2And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer. 3But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. 4We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them. 5May the Lord fill your hearts with God’s love. May Christ give you the strength to go on.
Paul Warns Those Who Do Not Want to Work
6Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you. We give it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work and makes trouble. Keep away from any believer who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us. 7You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you. 8We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you. 9We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow. 10Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, “Anyone who won’t work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.”
11We hear that some people among you don’t want to work and are making trouble. They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others. 12We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat. 13Brothers and sisters, don’t ever get tired of doing what is good.
14Keep an eye on anyone who doesn’t obey the teachings in our letter. Don’t have anything to do with that person. Then they will feel ashamed. 15But don’t think of them as an enemy. Instead, warn them as you would warn another believer.
Final Greetings
16May the Lord who gives peace give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.
17I, Paul, write this greeting in my own handwriting. That’s how I prove that I am the author of all my letters. I always do it that way.
18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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2 Thessalonians 3
3
Exhortation
1Finally, brothers and sisters, pray continually for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored [triumphantly celebrated and glorified], just as it was with you; 2and [pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not everyone has the faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things [which] we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ.
6Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the tradition and teaching that #3:6 One early ms reads they.you have received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined or inappropriate manner when we were with you [we were never idle or lazy, nor did we avoid our duties], 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support]; 9not because we do not have a right to such support, but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is #3:10 I.e. if one is able, but unwilling to work to provide for himself or his family, it is unjust for him to receive the necessities of life provided free by those who willingly work.not to eat, either. 11Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. 12Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others]. 13And as for [the rest of] you, #3:13 Lit brethren.believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].
14Now if anyone [in the church] does not obey what we say in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be ashamed and repent. 15Do not regard him as an enemy, but keep admonishing him as a [believing] brother.
16Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. [John 14:27]
17I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in every letter [of mine, that shows it is genuine]. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature]. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
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