We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing.

Since God deems it just to inflict suffering upon those who are now inflicting suffering upon you,

dealing out [full and complete] vengeance to those who do not [seek to] know God and to those who ignore and refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [by choosing not to respond to Him].

Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie,

As for you, my brethren, the favourites of the Lord, we are oblig'd to render perpetual thanks to God, for having chosen you from the beginning, in purifying you by his spirit, upon your believing the gospel.

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.

This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us.

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.'

Do not look upon him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.