Laziness

Laziness is warned against most often in Proverbs, which calls the lazy person a sluggard. This page lists verses on the sluggard, the results of laziness, idleness in the New Testament, and diligence.

Go to the ant

• Proverbs 6:6-11
  ⁶Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ⁹How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? ¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ¹¹So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
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The sluggard in Proverbs

• Proverbs 13:4
  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
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• Proverbs 26:13-16
  ¹³The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. ¹⁴As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. ¹⁵The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. ¹⁶The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
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• Proverbs 19:24
  A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
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• Proverbs 21:25
  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 21 →

Results of laziness

• Proverbs 10:4-5
  ⁴He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. ⁵He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
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• Proverbs 12:24
  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
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• Proverbs 20:4
  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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• Ecclesiastes 10:18
  By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
  Show context · Read Ecclesiastes 10 →

Idleness in the New Testament

• 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
  ¹⁰For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
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• 1 Timothy 5:13
  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.
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• Hebrews 6:12
  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 6 →
• Matthew 25:26
  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
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Diligence

• Romans 12:11
  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
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• Colossians 3:23
  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
  Show context · Read Colossians 3 →
• Proverbs 10:4
  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 10 →

See also

• Work
• Self-control
• Poverty

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.