2 Thessalonians 3:4-9

4We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.

5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness 6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching Or tradition you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.