⁷ For you yourselves know ^(A)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(B)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(C)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(D)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(E)an example to imitate.

¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.