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Pray for Us

¹ Finally, brothers,^{[a] (a)}pray for us, that ^(b)the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[b] as happened among you, ² and ^(c)that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For ^(d)not all have faith. ³ But ^(e)the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and ^(f)guard you against ^(g)the evil one.^{[c] 4} And ^(h)we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵ May the Lord ⁽ⁱ⁾direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, ^(j)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(k)that you keep away from any ^(l)brother ^(m)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know ⁽ⁿ⁾how you ought to imitate us, because ^(o)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(p)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(q)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(r)an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ^(s)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you ^(t)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(u)busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[d]

¹³ As for you, brothers, ^(v)do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and ^(w)have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. ^15 (x)Do not regard him as an enemy, but ^(y)warn him as a brother.

Benediction

¹⁶ Now may ^(z)the Lord of peace himself ^(aa)give you peace at all times in every way. ^(ab)The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write ^(ac)this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. ^18 (ad)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.