Here are 116 Bible verses about laziness from the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, King James Version, sorted from the most relevant to the least relevant.
Related topics: bad behavior · change · discipline · hard work · planning · sin · starting new · struggles
Proverbs 13:4 KJV
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Colossians 3:17 KJV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Proverbs 15:19 KJV
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Romans 6:11-14 KJV
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Proverbs 6:9-11 KJV
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.
Hebrews 6:12 KJV
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
1 Timothy 5:8 KJV
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Proverbs 26:14-16 KJV
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. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Galatians 2:20 KJV
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Proverbs 10:4 KJV
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Proverbs 18:9 KJV
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Hebrews 3:15 KJV
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Proverbs 6:6 KJV
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 10:26 KJV
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
Proverbs 12:11 KJV
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Proverbs 22:13 KJV
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
James 1:22 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Proverbs 12:24 KJV
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Genesis 2:15 KJV
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Ezekiel 16:49 KJV
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV
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.
Proverbs 26:13 KJV
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 KJV
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.
Luke 16:10 KJV
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Proverbs 19:24 KJV
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Matthew 25:26 KJV
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:
Proverbs 14:23 KJV
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 21:25 KJV
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Romans 12:11 KJV
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Proverbs 24:30-34 KJV
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 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.
Proverbs 10:5 KJV
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Proverbs 20:4 KJV
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 19:15 KJV
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Ecclesiastes 10:18 KJV
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Proverbs 20:13 KJV
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Proverbs 31:25-27 KJV
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Hebrews 10:5-7 KJV
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
John 5:17 KJV
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
2 Timothy 3:17 KJV
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Ephesians 5:16 KJV
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Proverbs 12:27 KJV
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Jeremiah 48:10 KJV
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Nehemiah 6:3 KJV
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Jeremiah 15:16 KJV
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 KJV
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
James 4:17 KJV
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Revelation 2:2 KJV
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Proverbs 21:5 KJV
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Hebrews 13:16 KJV
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
James 4:14 KJV
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
John 9:4 KJV
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Proverbs 31:13 KJV
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Romans 13:11-14 KJV
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Proverbs 31:16-17 KJV
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Proverbs 31:19 KJV
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Ephesians 4:28 KJV
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Titus 1:12 KJV
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Exodus 5:17 KJV
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
Hebrews 12:11 KJV
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
James 2:18 KJV
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
James 1:23-25 KJV
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Proverbs 22:29 KJV
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Matthew 7:12 KJV
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Colossians 3:24 KJV
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Revelation 14:12 KJV
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Titus 2:5 KJV
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Ephesians 2:10 KJV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Corinthians 10:7 KJV
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
John 7:17 KJV
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Proverbs 21:17 KJV
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Proverbs 6:10-11 KJV
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.
Psalm 90:12 KJV
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Isaiah 32:9-20 KJV
Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins. They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful…
Isaiah 1:19-20 KJV
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Ezra 10:4 KJV
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Galatians 5:13 KJV
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 KJV
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2 Corinthians 12:20 KJV
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
1 Timothy 3:5 KJV
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Psalm 132:4-5 KJV
I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
Hebrews 12:12 KJV
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Colossians 4:5 KJV
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Habakkuk 3:2 KJV
O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Proverbs 27:23 KJV
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Revelation 3:15-16 KJV
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 KJV
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:
Proverbs 25:14 KJV
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
Proverbs 11:29 KJV
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Psalm 51:12 KJV
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Ecclesiastes 3:10 KJV
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
Job 7:13-14 KJV
When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints; Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
Judges 18:9 KJV
And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
Galatians 6:4 KJV
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Acts 2:45-47 KJV
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Habakkuk 3:18-19 KJV
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Proverbs 1:1-33 KJV
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood,…
Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the…
