Pray for Us
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Finally, brothers,a1pray for us, that 2the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,b as happened among you,
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And 8we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.
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May the Lord 9direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Warning Against Idleness
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Now we command you, brothers, 10in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 11that you keep away from any 12brother 13who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
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For you yourselves know 14how you ought to imitate us, because 15we were not idle when we were with you,
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nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but 16with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
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It was 17not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves 18an example to imitate.
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For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: 19If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
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Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.d
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As for you, brothers, 22do not grow weary in doing good.
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If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and 23have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
Benediction
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Now may 26the Lord of peace himself 27give you peace at all times in every way. 28The Lord be with you all.
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I, Paul, write 29this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
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30The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)