Bible Verses About Idle

“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.”

“At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.”

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

“Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.”

“Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.”

“I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”

“There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”

“For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.”

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, nor 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. Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.”

“As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

“A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.”

“And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.”

“For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.”

“The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.”

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

“A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.”

“He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.”

“The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.”

“He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

“Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.”

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.”

“To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.”

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

“How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”

“A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.”

“The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.”

“A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[’]”

“Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.”

“The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.”

“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

“Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.”

“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.”

“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

“Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.”

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

“We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.”

“A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.”

“The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.”

“For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.”

“The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.”

“Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”

“About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.”

“And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

“Pray without ceasing.”