Request for Prayer

1Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may run and may be glorified, just as also with you⁺, 2and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for the faith is not unto all. 3But faithful is the Lord, who will strengthen you⁺ and guard you from the evil one.† 4And we are persuaded in the Lord as to you⁺, that both you⁺ are doing and you⁺ will do what we command.† 5And may the Lord direct your⁺ hearts into the love of God and into the perseverance of Christ.

A Warning against Idleness

6Now we command you⁺, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother walking in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition that you received† from us. 7For you⁺ yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us, because we were not unruly among you⁺, 8nor did we eat bread from anyone without payment, but in labor and toil, working night and day in order not to be burdensome upon any of you⁺, 9not that we do not have authority, but so that we might give ourselves as a pattern to you⁺ for you to imitate us. 10For even when we were with you⁺, we were commanding you⁺ this, that “if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.”

11For we hear some are walking among you⁺ in an unruly manner, not working at all, but being busybodies. 12Now to such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that, working with quietness, they should eat their own bread. 13Now you⁺, brothers, should not grow weary in well-doing.

14And if anyone does not obey our word through the letter, take note of this one not to mix with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15And do not deem him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Signature and Final Greetings
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; Colossians 4:15–18)

16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give to you⁺ peace through everything in every way. The Lord be with all of you⁺.

17The greeting is in my own hand—Paul, which is my sign in every letter. In this way I write.

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

Footnotes:

3 Or from evil
4 BYZ and TR what we command you
6 Or they received
18 BYZ and TR include Amen.