What Does the Bible Say About Idle Time?
Here are 16 Bible verses about idle time, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 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.
- #21 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
BSBAt 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.
- #3Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
BSBPay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- #4Proverbs 31:27
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
BSBShe watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
- #52 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
BSBFor even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and 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.
- #6Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
BSBBut I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
- #7Proverbs 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.
- #8Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
BSBThe one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
- #9Proverbs 24:30-34
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 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.
BSBI 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.
- #10Proverbs 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.
- #11Ecclesiastes 10:18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
BSBThrough laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
- #12Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
BSBThere is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
- #13Proverbs 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.
- #14Titus 3:14
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
BSBAnd our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
- #15Titus 1:12
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
BSBAs one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
- #161 Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
BSBAs good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).