2 Thessalonians 3:6–13

Paul Warns Those Who Do Not Want to Work

6Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work. Keep away from anyone who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us.

7You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you. 8We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.

9We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow. 10Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, “Anyone who will not work will not eat.”

11We hear that some people among you don’t want to work. They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others. 12We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat.

13Brothers and sisters, don’t ever get tired of doing the right thing.