2 Thessalonians 3:9
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 The Message (MSG)
Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don’t permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn’t sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn’t be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn’t because we didn’t have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 New Century Version (NCV)
We had the right to ask you to help us, but we worked to take care of ourselves so we would be an example for you to follow.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 American Standard Version (ASV)
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 New International Version (NIV)
We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
not because we do not have a right to such support, but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 New Living Translation (NLT)
We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.