The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 For the rest, my brothers, let there be prayer for us that the word of the Lord may go forward with increasing glory, even as it does with you;
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Finally, our friends, pray for us that the Lord's message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you.
2 And that we may be made free from foolish and evil men; for not all have faith.
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Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people; for not everyone believes the message.
3 But the Lord is true, who will give you strength and keep you safe from evil.
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But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and keep you safe from the Evil One.
4 And we have faith in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things about which we give you orders.
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And the Lord gives us confidence in you, and we are sure that you are doing and will continue to do what we tell you.
5 And may your hearts be guided by the Lord into the love of God and quiet waiting for Christ.
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May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God's love and the endurance that is given by Christ.
6 Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behaviour is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us.
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Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them.
7 For you yourselves are used to taking us as your example, because our life among you was ruled by order,
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You yourselves know very well that you should do just what we did. We were not lazy when we were with you.
8 And we did not take food from any man for nothing, but were working hard night and day not to be a trouble to any of you:
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We did not accept anyone's support without paying for it. Instead, we worked and toiled; we kept working day and night so as not to be an expense to any of you.
9 Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.
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We did this, not because we do not have the right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow.
10 For even when we were with you we gave you orders, saying, If any man does no work, let him not have food.
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While we were with you, we used to tell you, "Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat."
11 For it has come to our ears that there are some among you whose behaviour is uncontrolled, who do no work at all, but are over-interested in the business of others.
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We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people's business.
12 Now to such we give orders and make request in the Lord Jesus, that, working quietly, they get their living.
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In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly lives and work to earn their own living.
13 And you, my brothers, do not get tired of well-doing.
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But you, friends, must not become tired of doing good.
14 And if any man does not give attention to what we have said in this letter, take note of that man, and keep away from him, so that he may be shamed.
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It may be that some there will not obey the message we send you in this letter. If so, take note of them and have nothing to do with them, so that they will be ashamed.
15 Have no feeling of hate for him, but take him in hand seriously as a brother.
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But do not treat them as enemies; instead, warn them as believers.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all.
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May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 These words of love to you at the end are in my writing, Paul's writing, and this is the mark of every letter from me.
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With my own hand I write this: [Greetings from Paul.] This is the way I sign every letter; this is how I write.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.