2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶Now we command you, brothers, in the name ^eof our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother ^fwho walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition ^greceived ^hfrom us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you must imitate ⁱus: We were not irresponsible among you; ⁸we did not eat ^janyone’s food ^kfree of charge; ^linstead, we labored ^mand struggled, ⁿworking ^onight and day, so that we would not be a burden ^pto any of you. ⁹It is not that we don’t have the right ^qto support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate ^rus. ¹⁰In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” ^s11For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work of others. ^t12Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food. ^u13Brothers, do not grow weary ^vin doing good.

¹⁴And if 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 treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.