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

⁶ We direct you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from all those of your brethren, whose conduct is irregular, and not agreeable to the instructions they received from us. ⁷ for you know what an example we have given for your imitation: that our conduct among you was regular: ⁸ that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you: ⁹ not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate, ¹⁰ pursuant to the maxim, which we laid down, when among you, "he that refuses to work should be deny'd food." ¹¹ now being inform'd, that there are among you people of an irregular conduct, who neglect their own business, and busy themselves with the affairs of others: ¹² we command these persons, and exhort them by the Lord Jesus Christ, to stay at home, and earn their bread by labour. ¹³ As for you, my brethren, be not weary of your commendable industry:

¹⁴ and if any one should disregard what we have prescrib'd, signify it to us by letter, and don't converse with him, that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ however, don't treat him as an enemy, but reprove him as a brother.