Bible Gateway passage: 2 Thessalonians 3 - New International Version (2024)

Request for Prayer

3As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) pray for us^(B) that the message of the Lord^(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^{(D) 2}And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(E) for not everyone has faith. ³But the Lord is faithful,^(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(G) 4}We have confidence^(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts^(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(J) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(K) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(L) and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.^{(M) 7}For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(N) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(O) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(P) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^{(Q) 10}For even when we were with you,^(R) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(S) shall not eat.”

¹¹We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(T) 12}Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(U) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^{(V) 13}And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.^(W)

¹⁴Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,^(X) in order that they may feel ashamed.^{(Y) 15}Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.^(Z)

Final Greetings

¹⁶Now may the Lord of peace^(AA) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.^(AB)

¹⁷I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,^(AC) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.^(AD)

Footnotes

1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

Cross references

1. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 : 1Th 4:1
2. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 : S 1Th 5:25
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 : 1Th 1:8
4. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 : 1Th 2:13
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 : S Ro 15:31
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 : S 1Co 1:9
7. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 : S Mt 5:37
8. 2 Thessalonians 3:4 : S 2Co 2:3
9. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 : 1Ch 29:18
10. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 : 1Co 5:4
11. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 : ver 14; S Ro 16:17
12. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 : ver 7, 11
13. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 : S 1Co 11:2
14. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 : ver 9; S 1Co 4:16
15. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 : S Ac 18:3; Eph 4:28
16. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 : 1Co 9:4-14
17. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 : ver 7; S 1Co 4:16
18. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 : 1Th 3:4
19. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 : 1Th 4:11
20. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 : ver 6, 7; 1Ti 5:13
21. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 : 1Th 4:1
22. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 : 1Th 4:11; Eph 4:28
23. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 : Gal 6:9
24. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 : ver 6; S Ro 16:17
25. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 : S 1Co 4:14
26. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 : Gal 6:1; 1Th 5:14; Phm 16
27. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 : S Ro 15:33
28. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 : Ru 2:4
29. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 : S 1Co 16:21
30. 2 Thessalonians 3:18 : S Ro 16:20