2 Thessalonians 3

Finally, 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;

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.

and [pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not everyone has the faith.

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

But 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.

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

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things [which] we command.

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

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ.

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

Warning against idleness

Now 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 ^[a]you have received from us.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.

For 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],

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

nor 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];

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

not 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.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is ^[b]not to eat, either.

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’

Indeed, 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].

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

Now 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].

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

And as for [the rest of] you, ^[c]believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Now 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.

Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.

Do not regard him as an enemy, but keep admonishing him as a [believing] brother.

Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

Final greetings

Now 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.

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

I, 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].

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

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

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