We ought to thank God for you always, brothers, since it is proper, because your faith is growing so much and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing more and more.

and all kinds of wicked deception toward those people who are perishing [spiritually], because they refused to love the truth so they could be saved.

And may the Lord direct your hearts to love [people] as God does, and to be steadfast as Christ was.

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.

For you, yourselves, know how you ought to follow our example, for we did not live in idleness when we were among you;