2 Thessalonians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Translations

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Amplified Bible

For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule {and} charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - American Standard Version

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Bible in Basic English

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

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Darby Bible

For also when we were with you we enjoined you this, that if any man does not like to work, neither let him eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - English Standard Version

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - King James Version

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - La Biblia de las Americas

Porque aun cuando estábamos con vosotros os ordenábamos esto: Si alguno no quiere trabajar, que tampoco coma.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - The Message

Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don’t work, you don’t eat." And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - New American Standard Bible

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Porque aun cuando estábamos con ustedes les ordenábamos esto: Si alguien no quiere trabajar, que tampoco coma.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - World English Bible

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Young's Living Translation

for even when we were with you, this we did command you, that if any one is not willing to work, neither let him eat,

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Additional Comments

"He who does not work, neither shall he eat" here is a rule for lazy people, as described in vs 11, those who were disorderly, not working at all, being busybodies.
The principle is that we are not to be freeloaders, having someone else give take care of our needs without us working to earn them.
It became a slogan for several colonies and socialist societies.
The slogan was used by Captain John Smith in setting up his colony in Jamestown, Virginia (1607-1609), the first permanent English settlement in the colonies.
According to Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, it is the first principle of socialism. The phrase is mentioned in his 1917 work, "State and Revolution" (chapter 5, section 3). Through this slogan Lenin explains that in a socialist society (which Karl Marx termed "the first phase of communism") only productive individuals would be allowed access to the articles of consumption. This is not directed at lazy or unproductive workers, but rather the bourgeoisie. Since Marxists hold that the bourgeoisie lives off the labor of others, they are seen to be incapable of producing anything. In Marxism, the bourgeoisie would either starve to death (literally and metaphorically) or begin to work beside the proletariat in the factories and farms. The principle would not apply to those who could not work, such as the elderly or the lame. These groups would have a right to society's products because they were not at fault for their condition. The elderly, furthermore had worked during their youth, and so could not be denied life's basic necessities.

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