2 Thessalonians 3:5-15

English Standard Version

⁵May the Lord ^(A)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶Now we command you, brothers, ^(B)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(C)that you keep away from any ^(D)brother ^(E)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know ^(F)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(G)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(H)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹It was ^(I)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(J)an example to imitate. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ^(K)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹For we hear that some among you ^(L)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ^(M)busybodies. ¹²Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[a]

¹³As for you, brothers, ^(N)do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and ^(O)have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵^(P)Do not regard him as an enemy, but ^(Q)warn him as a brother.