20 Bible Verses about Idleness

We also exhort you, brethren, that you warn those that are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone.

The slothful man hides his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

He that deals with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

The slothful man says, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.read more.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.

Now we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks out of order, and not after the doctrine which ye received of us. For you know in what manner you ought to imitate us, for we did not walk disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, but working with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,read more.
Not because we did not have authority, but to give you an example that you might imitate us. For even when we were with you, this we declared unto you, that if anyone desires not to work neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you out of order, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those that are such, we charge and exhort in our Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they eat their bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if anyone does not hearken unto our word by this epistle, note that one and do not join with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

And reject also the idle, who have learned to wander about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.

But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence until the end for the fulfillment of your hope, that ye not become slothful, but imitators of those who by faith and patience inherit the promises.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise, Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

Tzaddi She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat bread in idleness.

For you know in what manner you ought to imitate us, for we did not walk disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, but working with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, Not because we did not have authority, but to give you an example that you might imitate us.

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 travels and thy want as an armed man.

As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those that send him.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the negligent shall be under tribute.

The soul of the sluggard desires, and attains nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous is made plain.

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the negligent soul shall suffer hunger.