⁶Our brothers and sisters, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them. ⁷You yourselves know very well that you should do just what we did. We were not lazy when we were with you. ⁸We did not accept anyone’s support without paying for it. Instead, we worked and toiled; we kept working day and night so as not to be an expense to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we have no right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow. ¹⁰While we were with you, we used to say to you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.”

¹¹We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people’s business. ¹²In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly lives and work to earn their own living.

¹³But you, brothers and sisters, must not get tired of doing good. ¹⁴It may be that someone there will not obey the message we send you in this letter. If so, take note of that person and have nothing to do with him or her, so that they will be ashamed. ¹⁵But do not treat them as an enemy; instead, warn them as a fellow-believer.

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