20 Bible Verses about Idleness

Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

A lazy one puts his hand in a dish, and he will not return it to his mouth.

He who deals with a lazy hand becomes poor; but the hand of the hard worker makes rich.

The lazy one says, There is a lion outside; I shall be killed in the streets.

The lazy one says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy man turn upon his bed. The lazy man 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 eyes than seven men who can give a reason.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly, and not after the teaching which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us. For we did not behave ourselves disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread freely, but we worked with labor and travail night and day, so that we might not be heavy on any of youread more.
(not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example to you, to imitate us). For even when we were with you, we commanded you this, that if anyone would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk disorderly among you, not working at all, but being busybodies. Now we command and exhort those who are such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, do not be weary in well doing. And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, mark that one and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

And with it all they also learn to be idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things they ought not.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.

And we desire that each one of you show the same eagerness to the full assurance of hope to the end, that you be not slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Go to the ant, 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.

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

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us. For we did not behave ourselves disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread freely, but we worked with labor and travail night and day, so that we might not be heavy on any of you (not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example to you, to imitate us).

How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down; so shall your poverty come as one who travels, and your need like an armed man.

Like vinegar to the teeth, and like smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

The hand of the hard worker shall bear rule, but the lazy shall be under service.

The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing; but the soul of the hard worker shall be made fat.

The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the righteous is made plain.

Laziness throws one into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.