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.

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.