1 In 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 2:132 and that we may be delivered  * 3:2 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 everyone3 But 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; 5:18–194 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.  * 3:5 Rm 15:5; Rv 13:10

6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name  * 3:6 Jn 14:13; Ac 3:16; 15:14; Php 2:10 of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister  * 3:6 Mt 18:17; 1Co 5:11; 2Tm 3:5; 2Jn 10 who is idle and does not live  * 3:6 Lit walk according to the tradition  * 3:6 Mk 7:3 received  * 3:6 Jd 3 from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate  * 3:7 3Jn 11 us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat  * 3:8 1Co 10:25 anyone’s food free of charge;  * 3:8 1Th 2:7 instead, we labored  * 3:8 Rv 14:13 and toiled,  * 3:8 2Co 11:27; 1Th 2:9 working  * 3:8 Ac 18:3; Eph 4:28; 2Jn 8 night and day, so that we would not be a burden  * 3:8 2Co 2:5; 1Th 2:9 to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right  * 3:9 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 imitate  * 3:9 Heb 8:5 us. 10 In 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 4:1111 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.  * 3:11 1Tm 5:1312 Now 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 bread13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary  * 3:13 Lk 18:1; 2Co 4:1,16; Gl 6:9; Eph 3:13 in doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16 May the Lord of peace  * 3:16 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 13:2517 I, 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. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.