2Thessalonians 3

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