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

⁶ We urge you, Brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid any Brother who is living an ill-ordered life, which is not in agreement with the teaching that you received from us. ⁷ For you know well that you ought to follow our example. When we were with you, our life was not ill-ordered, ⁸ Nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it. Night and day, laboring and toiling, we used to work at our trades, so as not to be a burden upon any of you. ⁹ This was not because we had not a right to receive support, but our object was to give you a pattern for you to copy. ¹⁰ Indeed, when we were with you, what we urged upon you was-- 'If a man does not choose to work, then he shall not eat.' ¹¹ We hear that there are among you people who are living ill- ordered lives, and who, instead of attending to their own business, are mere busy-bodies. ¹² All such people we urge, and entreat, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to attend quietly to their business, and earn their own living. ¹³ You, Brothers, must not grow weary of doing what is right.

¹⁴ If any one disregards what we have said in this letter, mark that man and avoid his company, that he may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not think of him as an enemy, but caution him as you would a Brother.