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Request for Prayer

^1 (C1)Finally, brothers and sisters, ^(C2)pray for us that ^(C3)the word of the Lord will ^(F1)spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you;² and that we will be ^(C1)rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith.³ But ^(C1)the Lord is faithful, ^(F1)and He will strengthen and protect you ^(F2)from ^(C2)the evil one.⁴ We have ^(C1)confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you ^(C2)are doing, and will do, what we command.⁵ May the Lord ^(C1)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, ^(C1)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you ^(F1)(C2)keep away from every brother or sister who ^(F2)leads a ^(F3)(C3)disorderly life and not one in accordance with ^(C4)the tradition which ^(F4)you received from us.⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to ^(F1)(C1)follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you,⁸ nor did we ^(C1)eat ^(F1)anyone's bread ^(F2)without paying for it, but with ^(C2)labor and hardship we kept ^(C3)working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;⁹ not because we do not have ^(C1)the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves ^(C2)as a role model for you, so that you would ^(F1)follow our example.¹⁰ For even ^(C1)when we were with you, we used to give you this order: ^(C2)if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.¹¹ For we hear that some among you are ^(C1)leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like ^(C2)busybodies.¹² Now we command and ^(C1)exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to ^(C2)work ^(F1)peacefully and eat their own bread.¹³ But as for you, ^(C1)brothers and sisters, ^(C2)do not grow weary of doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our ^(F1)instruction ^(F2)(C1)in this letter, take special note of that person so as ^(C2)not to associate with him, so that he will be ^(C3)put to shame.¹⁵ And yet ^(C1)do not regard that person as an enemy, but ^(F1)(C2)admonish that one as a ^(C3)brother or sister.

¹⁶ Now ^(C1)may the Lord of peace ^(C2)Himself continually grant you peace in every ^(F1)circumstance. ^(C3)The Lord be with you all!

^17 (F1)I, Paul, write this greeting ^(C1)with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.^18 (C1)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.