1 To conclude, pray for us,
my brethren, that the doctrine
of the Lord may make
its progress, and be respected
every where as it is among
you:
2 and that we may be
delivered from vexatious wicked
men; for all have not
the faith.
3 but as for you, the
Lord, who is faithful, will
establish you, and protect you
from the malicious one.
4 and
we have this hope in the
Lord, that you will still continue
to observe the directions
we give you.
5 may the Lord
qualify your hearts with divine
affection, and a patient
expectation of Jesus Christ.
6 We direct you, brethren,
in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to withdraw from
all those of your brethren,
whose conduct is irregular,
and not agreeable to the instructions
they received from
us.
7 for you know what an example
we have given for your
imitation: that our conduct among
you was regular:
8 that
we did not eat any man's bread
for nothing: but with toil and
fatigue work'd night and day
to avoid being chargeable to any
of you:
9 not, that we had no
just claim, but to present ourselves
as a pattern, which you
should imitate,
10 pursuant to the
maxim, which we laid down,
when among you, “he that
-- --
refuses to work should be deny'd
food.”
11 now being inform'd,
that there are among
you people of an irregular conduct,
who neglect their own
business, and busy themselves
with the affairs of others:
12 we
command these persons, and
exhort them by the Lord Jesus
Christ, to stay at home,
and earn their bread by labour.
13 As for you, my brethren, be
not weary of your commendable
industry:
14 and if any one
should disregard what we have
prescrib'd, signify it to us by
letter, and don't converse with
him, that he may be put to
shame.
15 however, don't treat
him as an enemy, but reprove
him as a brother.
16 Now the Lord of peace
grant you continual peace in
all respects. the Lord be with
you all.
17 I Paul salute you,
this salutation being my own
hand writing, which is the
distinguishing mark of all my
letters, so I write.
18 the favour
of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all.
AMEN.
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Mace [1729], THE NEW TESTAMENT IN Greek and English. Containing the ORIGINAL TEXT Corrected from the Authority of the most Authentic Manuscripts: AND A NEW VERSION Form'd agreeably to the Illustrations of the most Learned Commentators and Critics: WITH NOTES and VARIOUS READINGS, AND A Copious Alphabetical Index (Printed for J. ROBERTS [etc.], LONDON) [word count] [B11200].