What Does the Bible Say About Lazy People?
Here are 18 Bible verses about lazy people, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #12 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.”
- #21 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
BSBIf anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- #3Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
BSBIdle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
- #4Proverbs 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.
- #5Proverbs 6:9-11
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.
BSBHow 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 19:24
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
BSBThe slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
- #7Proverbs 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.
- #8Proverbs 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.
- #9Proverbs 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.
- #10Proverbs 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
BSBThe one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- #11Psalms 50:17
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
BSBFor you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
- #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.
- #132 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
BSBMake every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
- #14Proverbs 10:5
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
BSBHe who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
- #15Matthew 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. …
- #16Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
BSBA wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
- #17Proverbs 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.
- #18Proverbs 10:26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
BSBLike vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).