⁷ She came and told the ^(A)man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

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. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ^(F)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you ^(G)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(H)busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[a]

⁹ For you remember, brothers, ^(A)our labor and toil: we ^(B)worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and ^(C)God also, ^(D)how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

^17 (A)Repay no one evil for evil, but ^(B)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

²² But the word of God came to ^(A)Shemaiah the man of God:

¹² so that you may ^(A)walk properly before ^(B)outsiders and be dependent on no one.