2 Thessalonians 3 (A Chapter a Day)

Request for Prayer

1Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

6In
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep
away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the
teaching^[a] you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor
did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we
worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a
burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

14If
anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note
of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Special Greetings

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

17I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2 Thessalonians 2 (A Chapter a Day)

The Man of Lawlessness

1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not
to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or
letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord
has already come. 3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness^[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He
will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God
or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple,
proclaiming himself to be God.

5Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For
the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now
holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8And
then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will
overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of
his coming. 9The coming of
the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed
in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and
in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They
perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Stand Firm

13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you^[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings^[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16May
our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by
his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Some manuscripts sin
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Some manuscripts because God chose you as his firstfruits
3. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Or traditions

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society