What Does the Bible Say About Being Lazy?
Here are 12 Bible verses about being lazy, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
BSBWhoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
- #2Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
BSBThe slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
- #3Proverbs 10:4-5
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
BSBIdle 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.
- #4Proverbs 21:25
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
BSBThe craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
- #5Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
BSBWalk 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.
- #6Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
BSBLaziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
- #7Matthew 25:14-30
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. …
BSBFor it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. …
- #8Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
BSBThe hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
- #92 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
BSBFor even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
- #10Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
BSBWalk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
- #11Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
BSBNot everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
- #12Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
BSBThen Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).