A Warning against Idleness

6 Now we command you, brothers, in [the] name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother [who] leads an undisciplined life [that is] not in keeping with the tradition you received[fn] from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 Not that we lack [this] right, but we wanted to offer ourselves [as] an example for you to imitate 10 For even while we were with you, we gave you this command “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”

11 For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. 12 We command and urge such [people] by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living 13 But [as for] you, brothers, {do} not grow weary [in] well-doing.

14 Take note of anyone who {does} not obey the instructions we have given in [this] letter. {Do} not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet {do} not regard [him] as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.