1Finally, dear brothers and sisters,3:1 Greek brothers; also in 3:6, 13. we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.

2Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.

3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.3:3 Or from evil.

4And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you.

5May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

6And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers3:6a Greek from every brother. who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received3:6b Some manuscripts read you received. from us.

7For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.

8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.

9We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.

10Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.