²⁸ Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.

¹¹ to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you,^{(A) 12} so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.^(B)

¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,^(A)

¹⁰ So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.^(A)

¹¹ For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work.^{(A) 12} Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^(B)

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.^(A)

The Widow’s Offering

21 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury;^{(A) 2} he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.^{(B) 3} He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, ⁴ for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Warning against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they^[a] received from us.^{(A) 7} For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you,^{(B) 8} and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you.^(C)

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?”^{(A) 11} In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.”^{(B) 12} Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”^{(C) 13} He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”^{(D) 14} Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”^(E)

¹² for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ Through the testing of this ministry you^[a] glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your partnership with them and with all others,^{(A) 14} while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!^(B)