1And 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, 2and that we may be rescued from wrong-headed and wicked men; for it is not all who have faith. 3But the Lord is to be trusted, and he will fortify you and guard you from the evil one. 4We feel perfect confidence about you, in the Lord, that you are doing and will continue to do what we order. 5May the Lord direct your hearts towards God's love and the steadfastness of Christ!
6These 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. 7You know yourselves how you ought to copy our example: we were no idlers among you; 8we 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— 9not because we have not the right to maintenance, but 10to 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. 11We mention this because we hear that some of your number are idling their time away, minding everybody's business but their own. 12To 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.
13My friends, never tire of doing right. 14If anyone disobeys our instructions given by letter, mark him well, and have no dealings with him until he is ashamed of himself. 15I do not mean treat him as an enemy, but give him friendly advice, as one of the family.
16May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
17The greeting is in my own hand, signed with my name, PAUL; this authenticates all my letters; this is is how I write.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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