1In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,3:1 1Th 2:13

2and that we may be delivered3:2 Mt 27:43; Rm 15:31 from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.3:2 Or for the faith is not in everyone

3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.3:3 Mt 5:37; 6:13; 13:19,38; Jn 17:15; Eph 6:16; 1Jn 2:13–14; 3:12; 5:18–19

4We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

5May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.3:5 Rm 15:5; Rv 13:10

6Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name3:6 Jn 14:13; Ac 3:16; 15:14; Php 2:10 of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister3:6 Mt 18:17; 1Co 5:11; 2Tm 3:5; 2Jn 10 who is idle and does not live3:6 Lit walk according to the tradition3:6 Mk 7:3 received3:6 Jd 3 from us.

7For you yourselves know how you should imitate3:7 3Jn 11 us: We were not idle among you;

8we did not eat3:8 1Co 10:25 anyone’s food free of charge;3:8 1Th 2:7 instead, we labored3:8 Rv 14:13 and toiled,3:8 2Co 11:27; 1Th 2:9 working3:8 Ac 18:3; Eph 4:28; 2Jn 8 night and day, so that we would not be a burden3:8 2Co 2:5; 1Th 2:9 to any of you.

9It is not that we don’t have the right3:9 Mk 1:22; Ac 9:14; Rm 13:1; 1Co 9:4–14 to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate3:9 Heb 8:5 us.

10In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”3:10 1Th 4:11

11For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.3:11 1Tm 5:13

12Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.3:12 Lit they may eat their own bread

13But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary3:13 Lk 18:1; 2Co 4:1,16; Gl 6:9; Eph 3:13 in doing good.

16May the Lord of peace3:16 1Th 5:23 himself give you peace always in every way.3:16 Nm 6:26; Eph 6:23 The Lord be with all of you.3:16 Rm 15:33; 1Co 16:24; 2Co 13:13; Ti 3:15; Heb 13:25

17I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,3:17 1Co 16:21 which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.