1Finally, brothers and sisters, pray that we spread the Lord's word rapidly and that it will be honored the way it was among you. 2Also pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone shares our faith. 3But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one. 4The Lord gives us confidence that you are doing and will continue to do what we ordered you to do. 5May the Lord direct your lives as you show God's love and Christ's endurance.

6Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we order you not to associate with any believer who doesn't live a disciplined life and doesn't follow the tradition you received from us. 7You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you. 8We didn't eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. 9It's not as though we didn't have a right to receive support. Rather, we wanted to set an example for you to follow. 10While we were with you, we gave you the order: "Whoever doesn't want to work shouldn't be allowed to eat." 11We hear that some of you are not living disciplined lives. You're not working, so you go around interfering in other people's lives. 12We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to pay attention to their own work so they can support themselves. 13Brothers and sisters, we can't allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right.

14It may be that some people will not listen to what we say in this letter. Take note of them and don't associate with them so that they will feel ashamed. 15Yet, don't treat them like enemies, but instruct them like brothers and sisters.

16May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

17I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. In every letter that I send, this is proof that I wrote it. 18The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.