2 Thessalonians 3

3 ¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, that the word of our Lord Jesus may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it was among you, ² and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people; for not everyone is a believer. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ We are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of our Father and into the steadfast endurance of Christ.

A Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to stay away from any brother who is living in idleness and not according to the tradition you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know that you should follow our example, because we were not idle when we were among you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it. Instead, with toil and hardship we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ Not because we don't have the right to do so, but to give you an example to follow. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are living in idleness, not busy with work but busybodies. ¹² We command and urge such people in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and eat their own bread. ¹³ As for you, brothers and sisters, 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 do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Peace, Greeting, and Grace

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand — the sign that every letter from me is genuine; this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.