1 Finally, brothers, pray for us—that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly, and that it may be honored the way it is among you. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:1
2 Also pray a3:2 The Gk. lacks pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone holds to the faith. b3:2 Or has faith ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:2
3 But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:3
4 We have confidence in the Lord c3:4 Lit. in the Lord concerning you that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:4
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah. d3:5 Or Christ ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:5
6 In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, e3:6 Or Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idleness f3:6 Or is leading a disorderly life and not living g3:6 The Gk. lacks living according to the tradition that they received h3:6 Other mss. read you received from us. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:6
7 For you yourselves know what you must do to imitate us. We never lived in idleness i3:7 Or We did not lead a disorderly life among you. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:7
8 We did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:8
9 It is not as though we did not have that right, but we wanted j3:9 The Gk. lacks we wanted to give you an example to follow. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:9
10 While we were with you, we gave this order: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, he shouldn’t eat.” ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:10
11 We hear that some of you are living in idleness. k3:11 Or living disorderly lives You are not busy working l3:11 Lit. ergazomenous (working) —you are busy interfering m3:11 Lit. periergazomenous (uselessly working) in other people’s lives! ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:11
12 We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, n3:12 Or Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:12
13 Brothers, do not get tired of doing what is right. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:13
14 If anyone does not obey what we say o3:14 Lit. our word in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:14
15 Yet, don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn p3:15 Or instruct him like a brother. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:15
16 Now may the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:16
17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write. ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:17
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, q3:18 Or Christ be with all of you. Amen. r3:18 Other mss. lack Amen ISV — 2Thessalonians 3:18