A request for prayer

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

2and that we may be delivered from evil and malignant men; for not all have faith. ⁴⁸

3But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the malignant one. ⁴⁹

4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. ⁵⁰

5Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the perseverance of Christ. ⁵¹

Don't be irresponsible or lazy

6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they ⁵²received from us.

7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not behave irresponsibly among you;

8neither ⁵³did we eat anyone's bread without paying; rather we worked night and day, with difficulty and hardship, so as not to be a burden to any of you;

9not because we do not have the right, but in order to offer ourselves to you as a model for you to imitate.

10Yes, because when we were with you we gave you this command: “If anyone does not want to work, ⁵⁴neither let him eat!”

11Yet we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly; not working, just meddling.

12Now to such individuals we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Isolate the disobedient

13But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in well doing.

14If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and do not associate with him, that he may be shamed;

15yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ⁵⁵

Benediction

16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you the peace ⁵⁶during every situation, in every way. ⁵⁷The Lord be with you all.

Sign-off

17The greeting of Paul, with my own hand, which is the ‘trademark’ in every letter that I write. ⁵⁸

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