And so, my dear friends, as you’ve always obeyed God—not just while I was with you, but even more now that I’m not with you— continue to work out your own salvation. Do it with fear and trembling.
I wrote the way I did so that when I came, you wouldn’t make me sad when you’re supposed to make me happy. I was sure that you would all want the same things I wanted.
Brothers and sisters, we command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from every believer who’s lazy and disruptive and who doesn’t follow the teaching you received from us.
I’m confident in the Lord that you won’t see this any other way. The people who are getting you so confused will be punished for that, no matter who they are.
We’re also sending another one of our brothers with these two. This man has often proved to us in many ways how committed he is. He’s even more committed now because he has great confidence in you.
If anyone thinks they’re a prophet or that they have other gifts from the Spirit, they should agree that what I’m writing to you is the Lord’s command.
I don’t dare to speak about anything except what Christ has done through me. He has been leading the Gentiles to obey God through what I have said and done,