²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather ^(A)let him labor, ^(B)doing honest work with his own hands, so ^(C)that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

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

¹¹ and to aspire ^(A)to live quietly, and ^(B)to mind your own affairs, and ^(C)to work with your hands, as we instructed you, ¹² so that you may ^(D)walk properly before ^(E)outsiders and be dependent on no one.

¹⁰ So then, ^(A)as we have opportunity, let us ^(B)do good to everyone, and especially to those who are ^(C)of the household of faith.

¹¹ For we hear that some among you ^(A)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(B)busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[a]

^15 (A)“You shall not steal.

The Widow's Offering

21 ^(A)Jesus^[a] looked up and saw the rich ^(B)putting their gifts into ^(C)the offering box, ² and he saw a poor widow put in two ^(D)small copper coins.^{[b] 3} And he said, “Truly, I tell you, ^(E)this poor widow has put in more than all of them. ⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her ^(F)poverty put in all ^(G)she had to live on.”

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, ^(A)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(B)that you keep away from any ^(C)brother ^(D)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know ^(E)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(F)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(G)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, ^(A)“What then shall we do?” ¹¹ And he answered them, ^(B)“Whoever has two tunics^[a] is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” ^12 (C)Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, ^(D)what shall we do?” ¹³ And he said to them, ^(E)“Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, “And we, ^(F)what shall we do?” And he said to them, ^(G)“Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your ^(H)wages.”