Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also with you;
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One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master's Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you.
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.
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And pray that we'll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I'm finding that not all "believers" are believers.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.
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But the Master never lets us down. He'll stick by you and protect you from evil.
4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.
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Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you're doing everything we told you and will continue doing it.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Messiah.
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May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God's love and Christ's endurance.
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
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Our orders - backed up by the Master, Jesus - are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest.
7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
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We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it.
8 neither did we eat bread for nothing from any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
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We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn't be burdened with taking care of us.
9 not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
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And it wasn't because we didn't have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."
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Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat."
11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.
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And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you.
12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
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This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately - no excuses, no arguments - and earn their own keep.
13 But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing well.
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Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.
14 If any man doesn't obey our word by this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
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If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice.
15 Don't count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
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But don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.
16 Now may the Lord of shalom himself give you shalom at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
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May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
17 The greeting of me, Sha'ul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.
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I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.
18 The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all. Amein.
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The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.