2 Thessalonians

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, chapter 3, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 3 New English Translation

Request for Prayer

   1 Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the LORD's message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith. 3 But the LORD is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 And we are confident about you in the LORD that you are both doing - and will do - what we are commanding. 5 Now may the LORD direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ. Response to the Undisciplined
   6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 8 and we did not eat anyone's food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: "If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat." 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. 12 Now such people we command and urge in the LORD Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. 13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. 14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Conclusion

   16 Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The LORD be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. 18 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all.

King James Version

   1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
   2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
   3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
   4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
   5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
   6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
   7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
   8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
   9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
   10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
   11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
   12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
   13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
   14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
   15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
   16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
   17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
   18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.