2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 - Warning Against Lazy, Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [that] you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us, that we did not behave irresponsibly among you, ⁸ nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, but with toil and labor, [we were] working night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves [as] an example to you, so that [you] may imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: that if anyone does not want to work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear [that] some among you are living irresponsibly, working [at] nothing, but being busybodies. ¹² Now we command and we exhort such people in the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with quietness, they eat their own bread. ¹³ But [as for] you, brothers, do not be discouraged [while] doing what is right.

¹⁴ But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note not to associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ And do not consider [him] as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.