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Now we command you, brothers, (A)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [a](B)keep away from every brother who walks in an [b](C)unruly manner and not according to (D)the tradition which [c]they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to (E)imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you, nor did we (F)eat [d]anyone’s bread [e]without paying for it, but with (G)labor and hardship we kept (H)working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have (I)the authority, but in order to offer ourselves (J)as a model for you, so that you would imitate us. 10 For even (K)when we were with you, we used to command this to you: (L)if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are (M)walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like (N)busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and (O)exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that (P)working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, (Q)brothers, (R)do not lose heart in doing good.

14 And if anyone does not obey our word [f](S)in this letter, take special note of that person (T)to not associate with him, so that he will be (U)put to shame. 15 And yet (V)do not regard him as an enemy, but [g](W)admonish him as a (X)brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or avoid
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or undisciplined
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Some mss you
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit from anyone
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit freely
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit through
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or keep admonishing

An Exhortation to Proper Living

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[a] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[b] from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:6a Greek from every brother.
  2. 3:6b Some manuscripts read you received.
  3. 3:15 Greek as a brother.