¹³ “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)

⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.^(A)

²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(A) doing something useful with their own hands,^(B) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(C)

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.

⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(A) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(B) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(C) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^{(D) 10} For even when we were with you,^(E) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(F) shall not eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(G) 12} Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(H) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^{(I) 13} And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.^(J)

⁹ Those who want to get rich^(A) fall into temptation and a trap^(B) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(C) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(D) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(E)