2 Thessalonians 3:6-9

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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) 9} This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate.^(D)