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)

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

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.

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.

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)

The Widow’s Offering^(A)

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.^{(B) 2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ 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)

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ 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) 7} For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(E) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ 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.

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.”