2 Thessalonians 3:9

A Warning against Idleness

8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”

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Berean Standard Bible
Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
American Standard Version (1901)
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
Bible in Basic English
Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.
Douay-Rheims 1899
Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.
Free Bible Version
Not that we don't have the right to do so—but we wanted to be an example to you, so that you could copy what we did.
Geneva Bible 1599
Not because we haue not authoritie, but that we might make our selues an ensample vnto you to follow vs.
King James (Authorized) Version
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Plain English Version
You know, God says that if somebody tells people the good news about Jesus, it is all right for that person to ask for the things they need. But we didn’t do that. We didn’t ask you for anything. You see, we wanted to show you the right way for a Christian to live.
Translation for Translators
We have always had the right to depend on you for money, but instead we worked hard in order to make ourselves examples for you, in order that you should behave like we behave.
Unlocked Literal Bible
We did this not because we have no authority. Instead, we did this in order to be an example to you, so that you may imitate us.
Noah Webster Bible
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves a pattern to you to follow us.
World English Bible
This was not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
Young's Literal Translation
not because we have not authority, but that ourselves a pattern we might give to you, to imitate us;