Proverbs 13:4
KJVThe soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
WEBThe soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
Bible Verses About Laziness
12 Bible verses about laziness, quoted word for word from the King James Version (KJV) and the World English Bible (WEB). Both translations are in the public domain. Tap a chapter link to read each verse in its full context.
Show:
Colossians 3:23
KJVAnd what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
WEBAnd whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
2 Thessalonians 3:10
KJVFor even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
WEBFor even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”
Proverbs 10:4
KJVHe becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
WEBHe becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
1 Timothy 5:8
KJVBut 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.
WEBBut if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 18:9
KJVHe also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
WEBOne who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Proverbs 21:25
KJVThe desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
WEBThe desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Proverbs 24:30-34
KJVI 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.
WEBI went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
Proverbs 20:4
KJVThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
WEBThe sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 19:15
KJVSlothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
WEBSlothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 20:13
KJVLove not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
WEBDon’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
Proverbs 12:24
KJVThe hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
WEBThe hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
Read, pray, and memorize together
The free Family Verses app has family reading plans, the whole Bible, verse memory practice and a private prayer journal that stays on your device. It works in your phone's browser — add it to your home screen.