2 Thessalonians 3

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,

Lastly, brothers and sisters, please pray for us, so that the Lord's message may spread and be truly appreciated, just as it is by you—

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

and that we may be kept safe from immoral and evil men, because not everyone trusts in God.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

But the Lord is trustworthy and will strengthen you, and protect you from the evil one.

4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.

We have great confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we told you.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.

May the Lord lead you into a deeper understanding of God's love for you and the endurance of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition which they received from us.

Now we want to tell you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to associate with any believer who can't be bothered to work for their living—those who don't follow the teachings they learned from us.

7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we did not behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

You certainly know that you should follow our example, because while we were with you we weren't lazy,

8 neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

—we didn't eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead we worked hard day and night so we wouldn't be a burden to any of you.

9 This was not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

Not that we don't have the right to do so—but we wanted to be an example to you, so that you could copy what we did.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, do not let him eat.”

Even while we were with you we gave strict instructions that anybody who didn't want to work shouldn't eat.

11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who do not work at all, but are busybodies.

But now we hear that there are some lazy busybodies among you who don't work at all.

12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

We're ordering such people, urging them in the Lord Jesus, to settle down and work to pay for their own food.

13 But you, brothers, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Brothers and sisters, don't give up doing good.

14 If any man does not obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

Take note of anyone who doesn't do what we're telling you in this letter, and make sure you don't associate with them, so that they may become embarrassed.

15 Do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Don't consider them enemies, but warn them as a brother or sister.

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

May the Lord of peace himself grant you peace in every situation in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.

Notice the greeting to you from me, Paul, in my own handwriting. This is my signature on every letter I write.

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

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.