8 Bible Verses about Idleness

And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards all.

But, by the authority of the Lord, we command you, brethren, to stand aloof from every brother whose life is disorderly and not in accordance with the teaching which all received from us. For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our example. There was no disorder in our lives among you, nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.read more.
This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us. For even when we were with you, we laid down this rule for you: "If a man does not choose to work, neither shall he eat." For we hear that there are some of you who live disorderly lives and are mere idle busybodies. To persons of that sort our injunction--and our command by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ--is that they are to work quietly and eat their own honestly-earned bread. But you, brethren, must not grow weary in the path of duty; and if any one refuses to obey these our written instructions, mark that man and hold no communication with him--so that he may be made to feel ashamed. And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but caution him as a brother.

And at the same time they also learn to be idle as they go round from house to house; and they are not only idle, but are gossips also and busybodies, speaking of things that ought not to be spoken of.

One of their own number--a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs--has said, "Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons."

But we long for each of you to continue to manifest the same earnestness, with a view to your enjoying fulness of hope to the very End; so that you may not become half-hearted, but be imitators of those who through faith and patient endurance are now heirs to the promises.

For you yourselves know that it is your duty to follow our example. There was no disorder in our lives among you, nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. This was not because we had not a claim upon you, but it arose from a desire to set you an example--for you to imitate us.