What Does the Bible Say About Slothfulness?
Here are 24 Bible verses about slothfulness, 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.
- #2Proverbs 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.
- #32 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.”
- #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 6:6
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.
- #6Proverbs 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.
- #7Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
BSBWhatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,
- #8Proverbs 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.
- #9Ecclesiastes 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.
- #10Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
BSBDo not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
- #11Proverbs 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.
- #12Proverbs 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.
- #13Proverbs 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.
- #14Proverbs 22:13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
BSBThe slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
- #15Proverbs 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.
- #16Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
BSBThen you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
- #17Proverbs 15:19
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
BSBThe way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- #18Proverbs 26:13-16
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
BSBThe 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.
- #191 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.
- #20Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
BSBA lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
- #21Matthew 25:26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
BSB‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
- #22Proverbs 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.
- #23Romans 12:10-11
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
BSBBe devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
- #24Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
BSBAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).