Now we command you, brothers and sisters, (A)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [a](B)keep away from every brother or sister who [b]leads a [c](C)disorderly life and not one in accordance with (D)the tradition which [d]you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to [e](E)follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, nor did we (F)eat [f]anyone’s bread [g]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 right to this, but in order to offer ourselves (J)as a role model for you, so that you would [h]follow our example. 10 For even (K)when we were with you, we used to give you this order: (L)if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are (M)leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like (N)busybodies. 12 Now we command and (O)exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to (P)work [i]peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, (Q)brothers and sisters, (R)do not grow weary of doing good.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or avoid
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Lit walks disorderly
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or undisciplined
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 One early ms they
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Or imitate us
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit from anyone
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit freely
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Or imitate us
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Lit with quietness
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit word
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit through
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or keep admonishing

In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[a] we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idleness[b] and not living[c] according to the tradition that they received[d] from us. For you yourselves know what you must do to imitate us. We never lived in idleness[e] among you. We did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. It is not as though we did not have that right, but we wanted[f] to give you an example to follow. 10 While we were with you, we gave this order: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, he shouldn’t eat.”

11 We hear that some of you are living in idleness.[g] You are not busy working[h]—you are busy interfering[i] in other people’s lives! 12 We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[j] to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers, do not get tired of doing what is right.

14 If anyone does not obey what we say[k] in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed. 15 Yet, don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn[l] him like a brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or Christ
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or is leading a disorderly life
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 The Gk. lacks living
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Other mss. read you received
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Or We did not lead a disorderly life
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 The Gk. lacks we wanted
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Or living disorderly lives
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Lit. ergazomenous (working)
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Lit. periergazomenous (uselessly working)
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Or Christ
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit. our word
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or instruct