What Does the Bible Say About Idleness?
Here are 13 Bible verses about idleness, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #11 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.
- #2Proverbs 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.
- #3Ecclesiastes 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.
- #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.
- #5Proverbs 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.
- #62 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.”
- #7Proverbs 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.
- #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 3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
BSBYet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
- #10Proverbs 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.
- #11Ezekiel 16:49
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
BSBNow this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy.
- #12Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
BSBDo not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
- #13Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
BSBThe slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).