6 Brothers and sisters, we’re instructing you to avoid those who are only lazily living out their faith, and not following the practices that they were taught by us. 7 You yourselves know that it’s appropriate to be imitating us, because we didn’t loaf when we were among you all, 8 nor did we eat food from anyone that we didn’t deserve, but we worked even when it was hard—day and night, so that we wouldn’t be a burden on anybody, 9 not that we didn’t have the right, but in order to make ourselves a good example that you could emulate. 10 Even when we were there with you, brothers and sisters, we instructed you that anyone who’s not willing to work doesn’t deserve to eat.

11 Yes, we’ve heard that there are some who associate with you, brothers and sisters, who are lazy—not doing any work, but just meddling, 12 so we’re instructing those people, and urging them by the authority of the master Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) Messiah, to just quietly get down to work, and then they’ll have food to eat. 13 But the rest of you, brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged from doing good.

14 And if there’s anyone there who won’t submit to the contents of this letter, then take note of that person and don’t associate with them, in order that they might be persuaded. 15 Don’t consider them as an enemy, but reprimand them like you would reprimand a brother or sister.