2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

English Standard Version

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, ^(A)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(B)that you keep away from any ^(C)brother ^(D)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know ^(E)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(F)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(G)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(H)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(I)an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ^(J)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you ^(K)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(L)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]