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| 3 | 2 Thessalonians |
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| 1 |
And now, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have everywhere the swift and glorious course that it has had among you, | Pray for Us 2Th.3.1-5 |
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and that we may be rescued from wrong-headed and wicked men; for it is not all who have faith. | |
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But the Lord is to be trusted, and he will fortify you and guard you from the evil one. | |
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We feel perfect confidence about you, in the Lord, that you are doing and will continue to do what we order. | |
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May the Lord direct your hearts towards God's love and the steadfastness of Christ!
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| 6 |
These are our orders to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: hold aloof from every Christian brother who falls into idle habits, and does not follow the tradition you received from us. | Warning against Idleness 2Th.3.6-15 |
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You know yourselves how you ought to copy our example: we were no idlers among you; | |
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we did not accept board and lodging from anyone without paying for it; we toiled and drudged, we worked for a living night and day, rather than be a burden to any of you— | |
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not because we have not the right to maintenance, but | |
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to set an example for you to imitate. For even during our stay with you we laid down the rule: the man who will not work shall not eat. | |
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We mention this because we hear that some of your number are idling their time away, minding everybody's business but their own. | |
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To all such we give these orders, and we appeal to them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly for their living.
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| 13 |
My friends, never tire of doing right. | |
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If anyone disobeys our instructions given by letter, mark him well, and have no dealings with him until he is ashamed of himself. | |
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I do not mean treat him as an enemy, but give him friendly advice, as one of the family.
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| 16 |
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
| Benediction 2Th.3.16-18 |
| 17 |
The greeting is in my own hand, signed with my name, PAUL; this authenticates all my letters; this is is how I write.
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| 18 |
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. | |
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