Zechariah and Elizabeth were truly good people before God. They did everything the Lord (God) commanded and told people to do. They were without fault.
You can eat and drink in your own homes! It seems that you think God’s church (people) is not important. You embarrass those people that are poor. What should I tell you? Should I praise you for doing this? I don’t praise you.
That is why I am sending Timothy to you. He is my son in the Lord. I love Timothy, and he is faithful. He will help you remember the way I live in Christ Jesus. That way of life is what I teach in all the churches everywhere.
But each person should continue to live the way the Lord God has given you to live—the way you were when God called you. This is a rule I make in all the churches.
But Timothy came back to us from you. He told us good news about your faith and love. Timothy told us that you always remember us in a good way. He told us that you want very much to see us again. And it is the same with us—we want very much to see you.
So, brothers and sisters, stand strong and continue to believe the teachings we gave you. We taught you those things in our speaking and in our letter to you.
Brothers and sisters, by the authority (power) of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work. People who refuse to work are not following the teaching that we gave them.