Pray for Us

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

2And pray that we may be rescued from deviant and evil men, for not all have faith.

3But the Lord is faithful; he will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

4We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command ¹⁵you.

5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of ¹⁶our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks in idleness and does not live according to the teaching we passed on to ¹⁷them.

7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,

8nor did we eat bread from anyone free of charge. On the contrary, with labor and hardship we worked day and night so as not to be a burden to any of you.

9We did this, not because we do not have the right to be supported, but to present ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

11For we hear that some among you are walking in idleness, not working at all, but being busybodies.

12Now we command and exhort such people ¹⁸by our Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and eat their own bread.

13But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of him and do not associate with him, so that he will feel ashamed.

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

Benediction

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

17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in all my letters; it is the way I write.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. ¹⁹Amen. ²⁰