2 Thessalonians 3

¹Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

²And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

³But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

⁴We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.

⁵May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

⁶In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,

⁸nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.

¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

¹¹We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

¹²Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

¹³And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

¹⁴If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.

¹⁵Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

¹⁶Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

¹⁷I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.