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1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified, as it also is with you.
2 Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 But we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you both do and will continue to do the things that we command.
5 But may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you avoid every brother who lives a lazy life and does not live according to the traditions which you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know it is proper for you to imitate us, because we did not live without discipline among you.
8 We did not eat anyone’ s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day in difficult labor and hardship, so we might not be a burden to any of you.
9 We did this not because we have no authority, but in order to offer ourselves as an example to you, so that you may imitate us.
10 For indeed, when we were with you, we commanded you this, “If anyone is not willing to work, do not let him eat.”
11 For we hear that some walk idly among you. They do not work but are instead meddlers.
12 Now such ones we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they should work with quietness and eat their own food.
13 But you, brothers, do not become weary in doing what is right.
14 But if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and have no association with him, so that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
17 This is my greeting— Paul— with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians