2Thessalonians:3

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* Finally , (note :)He adds now consequently according to his manner , various admonitions : the first of them is , that they pray for the increase and passage of the Gospel , and for the safety of the faithful ministers of it .(:note ) brethren , pray for us , that the word of the Lord may have [free ] course , and be glorified , even as [it is ] with you : * And that we may be delivered from (note :)Who do not do or care about their duty .(:note ) unreasonable and wicked men : It is no wonder that the Gospel is hated by so many , seeing that faith is a rare gift of God . Nonetheless , the Church will never be destroyed by the multitude of the wicked , because it is grounded and stayed upon the faithful promise of God . for all [men ] have not faith . * But the Lord is faithful , who shall stablish you , and keep [you ] from (note :)From Satan 's snares , or from evil .(:note ) evil . * * * * * Neither tooke we bread of any man for nought : but we wrought with labour and trauaile night and day , because we would not be chargeable to any of you . * Not because we haue not authoritie , but that we might make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs . * For even when we were with you , this we commanded you , that if any would not work , (note :)What will we do then with those fat lazy monks , and sacrificing priests ? A monk (says Socrates , book eight , of his Tripartite History ) who does not work with hands , is like a thief .(:note ) neither should he eat . * For we hear that there are some which walk among (note :)How great a fault idleness is , he declares in that God created no man in vain or to no purpose , neither is there any to whom he has not allotted as it were a certain position and place . From which it follows , that the order which God has appointed is troubled by the idle , indeed broken , which is great sin and wickedness .(:note ) you disorderly , working not at all , He reprehends a vice , which is joined with the former , upon which follows an infinite sort of mischiefs : that is , that there are none more busy in other men 's matters , than they who neglect their own . but are busybodies . * * * * * * * The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you all , Amen . The second Epistle to the Thessalonians , written from Athens .

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