2 Thessalonians 3

1 Finally [for the rest, as to the other matters], brothers [fellow believers, brethren], pray [to worship, to ask of God] for us, that the word [Logos, the divine message] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority] may spread [run, have free course] quickly [rapidly, with increasing glory] and be held [glorified, truly appreciated] in honor [with praise, in high esteem], just as [even as, in the same way] it was with you [among you, as with your community]. word study 2 And pray that we may be delivered [rescued, set free] from wicked [unreasonable, immoral] and evil [bad, morally wrong] men; for not everyone [all men have not] holds to the faith [trust, confidence in God]. word study 3 But the Lord [God, the supreme authority] is faithful [trustworthy, reliable], and He will strengthen [establish, give you strength] you and guard [keep, watch over, protect] you from the evil one [the wicked, Satan, the enemy of God]. word study 4 And we have confidence [faith, trust] in the Lord [God, Master] that you are doing [obeying, carrying out] and will continue to do [fulfill, accomplish] what we command [order, instruct]. word study 5 May the Lord [God, the supreme authority] direct your hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] into God’s [unconditional, divine] love [agape, selfless affection] and Christ’s [the Messiah, Jesus] perseverance [endurance, patient waiting]. word study 6 Now we command [order, instruct] you, brothers [fellow believers, siblings in Christ], in the name [authority, character] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, God’s salvation], to keep away [withdraw, separate] from any brother [fellow Christian, sibling] who leads [lives, walks] an undisciplined [idly, disorderly] life that is not in keeping [according to, following] with the tradition [teaching, instruction] you received [learned, accepted] from us. word study 7 For you yourselves [as personal witnesses] know how [in what manner] you ought to imitate [follow as a model, mimic] us, because we were not [absolutely not] undisciplined [idle, disorderly] among you [in your midst, as an example to you], word study 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it [freely]. Instead, in [hard] labor [toil, exhausting work] and toil [painful labor], we worked [labored, were engaged in physical or mental effort] night [the time of darkness] and day [a 24-hour period] so that we would not be a burden [a heavy load, too expensive] to any of you [someone, a person]. word study 9 Not that we lack [do not possess, are without] this right [authority, freedom to act], but we wanted to offer [present, give] ourselves [our lives, our example] as an example [pattern, model] for you to imitate [follow, mimic, copy]. word study 10 For even while [at the same time, during our stay] we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone [a person, someone] is unwilling [does not want to, refuses] to work [labor, be employed], he shall not eat [have food, be nourished].” word study 11 Yet we hear [have been informed, have learned] that some [certain ones, individuals] of you are leading [living, walking] undisciplined [idly, disorderly] lives and accomplishing [working, laboring] nothing [no thing, none] but being [acting as, busy with] busybodies [meddling, interfering]. word study 12 We command [order and direct] and urge [plead with and comfort] such people by our Lord [Master and Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, God’s salvation] to begin working [laboring and being productive] quietly [with quietness and stillness] to earn [to work for and obtain] their own living [their own food and necessities, bread]. word study 13 But as for you [brethren, fellow believers], brothers [male siblings or fellow Christians], do not [lest you] grow weary [lose heart, become discouraged] in well-doing [doing good, living virtuously, acting honorably]. word study 14 Take note [mark or distinguish] of anyone who does not obey [listen attentively to, heed] the instructions [word, message, or command] we have given [through, by means of] in this letter [epistle, written message]. Do not associate with [mix or keep company with] him, so that he may be ashamed [feel embarrassed, experience shame, become embarrassed]. word study 15 Yet do not regard him [as a personal adversary] as an enemy [a hostile opponent], but warn [gently caution, admonish] him as a brother [a fellow believer, a sibling in faith]. word study 16 Now may the Lord [the God of harmony] of peace Himself give you [grant to you, bestow upon you] peace [inner tranquility, freedom from fear] at all times [always, in every situation] and in every way [in all circumstances, through all means]. The Lord [the supreme authority, God] be with [accompany, remain with] all of you. word study 17 This greeting [salutation, a token of love and appreciation] is in my own hand [written by me personally]—Paul [the apostle, a servant of Christ]. This is my mark [a sign of authenticity, a seal] in every letter [epistle, a written message]; it is the way [thus, in this manner] I write [record my thoughts and teachings]. word study 18 The [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus [God is salvation] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] be with [accompany, remain among] all [every one, the entire group] of you [as a community, collectively]. word study