1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, so that the Lord's message will spread quickly and be honored [by people], even as it was among you.
2 And [pray] that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, because not everyone has faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one [Note: The Greek says just "the evil"].
4 And we have confidence in [the fellowship of] the Lord concerning you, that you are doing, and will continue to do the things we command you.
5 And may the Lord direct your hearts to love [people] as God does, and to be steadfast as Christ was.
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you people stay away from every brother [or sister] who lives an idle life [See note on I Thess. 5:14], and not according to the [inspired] tradition which you received from us.
7 For you, yourselves, know how you ought to follow our example, for we did not live in idleness when we were among you;
8 neither did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. But by hard labor and toil, we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.
9 [We did this], not because we did not have a right [to support], but so we could become an example for you to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this order: If any person does not [want to] work, he should not [get to] eat.
11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies.
12 Now we command and urge such people, in [the fellowship of] the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work quietly and earn their own living.
13 But you, brothers, should not get tired of doing what is right.
14 And if any person does not obey our instructions, [given] in this letter, you should take note of him so that you do not associate with him, in hope that he will become ashamed [of his conduct].
15 And yet do not consider him to be an enemy, but warn him as [you would] a [Christian] brother.
16 Now may the Lord Himself, [who is the source] of peace, give you peace at all times and in every circumstance. May the Lord be with all of you.
17 This greeting [is being written] by me, Paul, in my own handwriting; it is the signature I write in every letter.
18 May the unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.