2Th 3:8-11 | NETfull | STEP | and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8-11

8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. ^{▼▼ Grk “we did not eat bread freely from anyone.”} Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked ^{▼▼ Grk “but working,” as a continuation of the previous sentence. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started with the word “Instead” in the translation.} night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. ^{▼▼ Grk “an example for you to imitate us.”} 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, ^{▼▼ Grk “walking in an undisciplined way” (“walking” is a common NT idiom for one’s way of life or conduct).} not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. ^{▼▼ There is a play on words in the Greek: “working at nothing, but working around,” “not keeping busy but being busybodies.”}