2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

WARNING AGAINST IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

⁶Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name^f of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister^g who is idle and does not live^C according to the tradition^h receivedⁱ from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you should imitate^j us: We were not idle among you; ⁸we did not eat^k anyone’s food free of charge;^l instead, we labored^m and toiled,ⁿ working^o night and day, so that we would not be a burden^p to any of you. ⁹It is not that we don’t have the right^q to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate^r us. ¹⁰In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”^{s 11}For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.^{t 12}Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.^{D 13}But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary^u in doing good.

¹⁴If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.