Not because we have not authority, but that we might make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we warned you of, that if there were any, which would not work, that he should not [a]eat.

11 For we hear, that there are some which walk among [b]you inordinately, and work not at all, [c]but are busybodies.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 What shall we do then with those idle bellied Monks, and sacrificing Priests? A Monk (saith Socrates, book 8, of his Tripartite history) which worketh not with hands, is like a thief.
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 How great a fault idleness is, he declareth by that that God created no man in vain or to no purpose, neither is there any unto whom he hath not allotted as it were a certain standing and room. Whereupon it followeth, that the order which God hath appointed, is troubled by the idle, yea, broken, which is great sin and wickedness.
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 He reprehendeth a vice which is joined with the former, whereupon follow an infinite sort of mischiefs: to wit, that there are none more busy in other men’s matters than they which neglect their own.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,(A) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.(B) 10 For even when we were with you,(C) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work(D) shall not eat.”

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.(E)

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