Catholic Public Domain Version
"It was not as if we had no authority, but this was so that we might present ourselves as an example to you, in order to imitate us. "
— 2 Thessalonians 3:9, Catholic Public Domain Version
“Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”
“not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us. ”
“not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.”
“It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.”
“Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.”
“Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.”
“Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”
But we strongly caution you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to draw yourselves away from every brother who is walking in disorder and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
For you yourselves know the manner in which you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you.
Nor did we eat bread from anyone for free, but rather, we worked night and day, in hardship and weariness, so as not to be burdensome to you.
It was not as if we had no authority, but this was so that we might present ourselves as an example to you, in order to imitate us.
Then, too, while we were with you, we insisted on this to you: that if anyone was not willing to work, neither should he eat.
For we have heard that there are some among you who act disruptively, not working at all, but eagerly meddling.
Now we charge those who act in this way, and we beg them in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work in silence and eat their own bread.