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2 Thessalonians 3 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Request for Prayer
2Th 3:1Finally, dear brothers and sisters,[fn] we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.
2Th 3:2Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.
2Th 3:3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.[fn]
2Th 3:4And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you.
2Th 3:5May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
An Exhortation to Proper Living
2Th 3:6And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[fn] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[fn] from us.
2Th 3:7For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.
2Th 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
2Th 3:9We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.
2Th 3:10Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
2Th 3:11Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
2Th 3:12We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
2Th 3:13As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
2Th 3:14Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
2Th 3:15Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[fn]
Paul’s Final Greetings
2Th 3:16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
2Th 3:17HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
2Th 3:18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
NLT Footnotes
Greek brothers; also in 3:6, 13.
Or from evil.
Greek from every brother.
Some manuscripts read you received.
Greek as a brother.
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2 Thessalonians Chapter 3 — Additional Translations: