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28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

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28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(A) doing something useful with their own hands,(B) that they may have something to share with those in need.(C)

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11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

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11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,(A) just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

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18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

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18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,(A) and to be generous and willing to share.(B)

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10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

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10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(A) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(B) of believers.

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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.

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11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.(A) 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ(B) to settle down and earn the food they eat.(C)

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15 “You must not steal.

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The Widow’s Offering

21 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.[a]

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

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Footnotes

  1. 21:2 Greek two lepta [the smallest of Jewish coins].

The Widow’s Offering(A)

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.(B) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”(C)

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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.

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Footnotes

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

Warning Against Idleness

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,(A) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from(B) every believer who is idle and disruptive(C) and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us.(D) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.(E) We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(F) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

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10 “What should we do then?”(A) the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”(B)

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized.(C) “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,”(D) he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely(E)—be content with your pay.”

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12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem[a] will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift[b] too wonderful for words!

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Footnotes

  1. 9:12 Greek of God’s holy people.
  2. 9:15 Greek his gift.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(A) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(B) 13 Because of the service(C) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God(D) for the obedience that accompanies your confession(E) of the gospel of Christ,(F) and for your generosity(G) in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God(H) for his indescribable gift!(I)

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12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

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12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(A) not according to what one does not have.

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They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

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In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(A)

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13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

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13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(A) Practice hospitality.(B)

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