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100 Bible Verses about Idle Time

Proverbs 19:15 ESV / 204 helpful votes

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 140 helpful votes

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV / 133 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 31:27 ESV / 128 helpful votes

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

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV / 116 helpful votes

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 113 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Proverbs 12:24 ESV / 86 helpful votes

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 12:11 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Proverbs 24:30-34 ESV / 68 helpful votes

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV / 68 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, ...

Ecclesiastes 10:18 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Proverbs 14:23 ESV / 61 helpful votes

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Proverbs 18:9 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Titus 3:14 ESV / 52 helpful votes

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Titus 1:12 ESV / 52 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 48 helpful votes

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 6:9-11 ESV / 21 helpful votes

How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Matthew 25:26-30 ESV / 20 helpful votes

But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Proverbs 13:4 ESV / 20 helpful votes

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

Proverbs 12:27 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

James 1:13-15 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ...

Luke 12:47 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Proverbs 16:27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 15:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

Psalm 34:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Proverbs 20:13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Proverbs 16:27-29 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

2 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Revelation 3:14-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ...

1 John 1:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 1:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

James 1:13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

2 Timothy 3:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

Ephesians 5:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 119:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 John 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 Peter 4:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

2 Timothy 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Galatians 5:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Romans 12:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

John 14:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Luke 17:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building,

Luke 10:40-42 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 9:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Luke 4:43 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Mark 16:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Matthew 25:14-30 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ...

Proverbs 24:33-34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 23:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Proverbs 20:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

Proverbs 10:4-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

Proverbs 6:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

Numbers 12:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. ...

Revelation 1:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

1 John 5:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 10:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

1 Timothy 6:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Colossians 2:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Philippians 1:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? ...

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Romans 11:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 3:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Romans 3:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ...

Acts 5:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 1:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Luke 1:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Matthew 24:23-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Matthew 22:37-40 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Matthew 12:1-50 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? ...

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