7 For ^eyou yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and ^flabor we worked night and day, ^gthat we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 ^hIt was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but ⁱbusybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work ^jquietly and to earn their own living.¹