20 Bible Verses about Idleness

And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.

Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.

The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—
a lion in the public square!”
A door turns on its hinges,
and a slacker, on his bed.
The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.
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In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser
than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us. For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: We were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and struggled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. read more.
It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work of others. Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food. Brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet don’t treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

One of their very own prophets said,

Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.

Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

Go to the ant, you slacker!
Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.

She watches over the activities of her household
and is never idle.

For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: We were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and struggled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.

How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.

The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.

The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.

A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

Laziness induces deep sleep,
and a lazy person will go hungry.