2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

New Life Version

⁶Now this is what we tell you to do, Christian brothers. In the name of the Lord Jesus, keep away from any Christian who is lazy and who does not do what we taught you. ⁷You know you should follow the way of life we lived when we were with you. We worked hard while we were there. ⁸We did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. We worked hard night and day so none of you would have to give us anything. ⁹We could have asked you to give us food. But we did not so that you might follow our way of living. ¹⁰When we were with you, we told you that if a man does not work, he should not eat.

Read full chapter

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

New International Version

Warning Against Idleness

⁶In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(A) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(B) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(C) and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.^(D) ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(E) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(F) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(G) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^(H) ¹⁰For even when we were with you,^(I) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(J) shall not eat.”