²⁶ The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.

⁷ All the work of man is for his mouth, and still he has a desire for food.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if your heart is full of pride, you only will have the pain of it.

²³ In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor.

¹¹ And that you may take pride in being quiet and doing your business, working with your hands as we gave you orders;

¹² That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

⁸ And we did not take food from any man for nothing, but were working hard night and day not to be a trouble to any of you:

⁹ Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.

¹⁰ For even when we were with you we gave you orders, saying, If any man does no work, let him not have food.

¹¹ For it has come to our ears that there are some among you whose behaviour is uncontrolled, who do no work at all, but are over-interested in the business of others.

¹² Now to such we give orders and make request in the Lord Jesus, that, working quietly, they get their living.