¹⁰ For even when we were with you,^(A) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(B) shall not eat.”

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.^(A)

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(A) 12} Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(B) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^(C)

³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.^{(A) 4} But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,^(B) for this is pleasing to God.^{(C) 5} The widow who is really in need^(D) and left all alone puts her hope in God^(E) and continues night and day to pray^(F) and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^(G)

¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies^(A) who talk nonsense,^(B) saying things they ought not to.

¹⁰ For the love of money^(A) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(B) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(C)

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(D) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(E) faith, love,^(F) endurance and gentleness.