3Verse 1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.Verse 2And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith.Verse 3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.+Verse 4And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.Verse 5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
A Warning against Idleness
Verse 6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received+from us.Verse 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,Verse 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.Verse 9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.Verse 10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”Verse 11For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.Verse 12We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.Verse 13But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.Verse 14Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.Verse 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Signature and Final Greetings
Verse 16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.Verse 17This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; it is the way I write.Verse 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.+