1 F urthermore, brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as with you,

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

2 A nd that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith and is held by it.

and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.

3 Y et the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

4 A nd we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things which we suggest and with which we charge you.

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

5 M ay the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and in waiting for His return.

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

6 N ow we charge you, brethren, in the name and on the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that you withdraw and keep away from every brother (fellow believer) who is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

7 F or you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate our example, for we were not disorderly or shirking of duty when we were with you.

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,

8 N or did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and struggle we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden or impose on any of you.

nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

9 n ot because we do not have a right, but to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

10 F or while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

11 I ndeed, we hear that some among you are disorderly, being busy with other people’s affairs instead of their own and doing no work.

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

12 N ow we charge and exhort such persons '> ministers in Him exhorting those] in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that they work in quietness and earn their own food and other necessities.

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.

13 A nd as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

14 B ut if anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.

15 D o not regard him as an enemy, but simply admonish and warn him as a brother.

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 N ow may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways. The Lord with you all.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

17 I , Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the mark and sign in every letter of mine. It is the way I write.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.

18 T he grace (spiritual blessing and favor) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you all. Amen (so be it).

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.