2 Thessalonians 3:4-9

New International Version

⁴We have confidence^(A) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts^(B) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(C) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(D) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(E) and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.^(F) ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(G) 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^(H) 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,^(I) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^(J)

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Footnotes

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

2 Thessalonians 3:4-9

New King James Version

⁴And ^(A)we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

⁵Now may ^(B)the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(C)that you withdraw ^(D)from every brother who walks ^(E)disorderly and not according to the tradition which ^[a]he received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; ⁸nor did we eat anyone’s bread ^[b]free of charge, but worked with ^(F)labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹not because we do not have ^(G)authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.