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We always paid for the food that anyone gave to us. We worked hard all the time, during the day and at night. We did that so that we would not make trouble for any of you. We could have told you to give us what we needed. We have authority to do that. But we wanted to show you how to live properly. Then you could copy our example. 10 Even when we were there with you, we told you this rule: ‘If anyone refuses to work, you should not give food to him.’[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:10 See 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.

nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(A) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,(B) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.(C) 10 For even when we were with you,(D) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work(E) shall not eat.”

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