2 Thessalonians

3* For the rest, pray for us, brothers, that the word of the Lord may speed on and show its gloriousness the same as it does with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from criminal and vicious men; for it is not everybody that has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will fortify you and guard you from the Evil One. 4* And we trust to you in the Lord that what we are enjoining you to do you are also doing, and will do. 5 And may the Lord pilot your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s steadfastness.

6* But we enjoin you, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you are to avoid every brother that takes to irregular courses, not in accordance with the instruction you had from us. 7 For you know yourselves how you have to imitate us, that we did not live irregularly among you, 8 nor get our board gratis from anybody, but toiling and moiling night and day at work, for the sake of not burdening any of you— 9 not that we do not have a right, but in order that we might give ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you we gave you this injunction, If one will not work let him not eat either.

11 For we hear of some among you living irregularly, not working at anything but frittering away their time; 12 but such we enjoin and exhort to work quietly and eat bread of their own. 13 But for yourselves, brothers, do not give up doing what is good. 14** And if anyone does not obey our words in this letter, note that man as a man not to be mixed up with, in order that he may be ashamed of himself; 15 and do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 And may the Lord of Peace himself give you peace all the time in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 Greeting in my own hand from me, Paul, which is a token in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.