20 Bible Verses about Idleness

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

The slothful man saith, 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 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.read more.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:read more.
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering 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 alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow 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 travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

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

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

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

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.