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)

¹⁶ That evening^(A) an old man from the hill country of Ephraim,^(B) who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields.

⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(A) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(B) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^{(C) 10} For even when we were with you,^(D) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(E) shall not eat.”

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