2 Thessalonians 3

1Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread quickly and be honored, just as it was with you.

2And pray that we will be kept safe from cruel and evil people, because not everyone has faith.

3But the Lord is faithful. The Lord will make you strong and keep you safe from the evil one.

4We are sure, because of the Lord, that you are doing what we told you, and that you will keep doing it.

5May the Lord lead your hearts into God's love and into the patience that Christ gives.

6Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you: stay away from any believer who is lazy and does not live by the teaching we gave you.

7You yourselves know that you should follow our example. We were not lazy when we were with you.

8We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard, day and night, so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

9We had the right to ask you for help, but we worked so that we could be an example for you to follow.

10Even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: anyone who refuses to work should not eat.

11We hear that some of you are lazy. You do no work at all; you only busy yourselves with other people's business.

12We command and urge such people, by the Lord Jesus Christ, to settle down, do their work quietly, and earn their own food.

13And you, brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

14If anyone will not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and do not spend time with them, so that they will feel ashamed.

15But do not treat that person as an enemy. Warn them as a brother or sister.

16May 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 mark in every letter of mine; this is how I write.

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