2 Thessalonians · Chapter 3
2 Thessalonians 3
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Request for Prayer
1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
2And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith.
3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.*
4And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
A Warning against Idleness
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.*
7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
11Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
12We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
13But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
14Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Signature and Final Greetings
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; Colossians 4:15–18)
16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; it is the way I write.
Source notes
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Psalms 138:2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.
Deuteronomy 32:20He said: “I will hide My face from them; I will see what will be their end. For they are a perverse generation— children of unfaithfulness.
Genesis 48:16the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
1 Chronicles 4:10And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez.
Psalms 19:13Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.
Psalms 121:7The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
1 Kings 8:58May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.
1 Chronicles 29:18O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
Psalms 119:5Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!
Psalms 119:36Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
Proverbs 3:6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Jeremiah 10:23I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.