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

Warning Against Lazy, Irresponsible Behavior

But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us, that we did not behave irresponsibly among you, nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, but with toil and labor, we were working night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you, not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves as an example to you, so that you may imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: that if anyone does not want to work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are living irresponsibly, working at nothing, but being busybodies. 12 Now we command and we exhort such people in the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers, do not be discouraged while[a] doing what is right. 14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note not to associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. 15 And do not consider him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“doing what is right”) which is understood as temporal