8 Bible Verses about Idleness

We exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, earnestly care for the weak-minded, be of a long-suffering disposition toward all.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly, and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we did not behave in a disorderly manner among you, nor did we eat any one's bread for nothing: but worked with labor and toil, night and day, that we might not burden any one of you;read more.
this we did, not because we have not authority, but that we might give ourselves to you as an example, in order that you might imitate us. For when we were with you, we gave you this commandment, that if any one will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear that some walk about among you in a disorderly manner, doing no work, but being busybodies. Now we command such, and exhort them by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness, and eat their own bread. And you, brethren, should not be weary in well-doing. And if any one obey not our word by this letter, note that man, and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed; and yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

At the same time, also, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which are not proper.

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said: The Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.

But we desire every one of you to show the same diligence, in order to have your hope fully assured to the end: that you may not become slothful, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we did not behave in a disorderly manner among you, nor did we eat any one's bread for nothing: but worked with labor and toil, night and day, that we might not burden any one of you; this we did, not because we have not authority, but that we might give ourselves to you as an example, in order that you might imitate us.