Idleness, often understood as a lack of activity or avoidance of work, is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide guidance on the dangers and consequences of idleness, emphasizing the importance of diligence and productive labor.

Proverbs 6:6-11 · The book of Proverbs frequently warns against idleness, using vivid imagery to convey its pitfalls. In Proverbs 6:6-11, the sluggard is admonished to observe the ant, a creature that exemplifies industriousness and foresight:
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up 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 need like a bandit."

Proverbs 19:15 · Further emphasizing the consequences of idleness, Proverbs 19:15 states:
"Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger."
This verse highlights the direct link between laziness and lack, suggesting that idleness leads to unmet needs and deprivation.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 · The book of Ecclesiastes also addresses the issue of idleness, associating it with decay and neglect:
"Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks."
This metaphor illustrates how neglect and inactivity can lead to deterioration and ruin.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 · In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul provides explicit instructions regarding idleness in his second letter to the Thessalonians. He emphasizes the principle of working for one's sustenance:
"For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat. Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living."
Paul's admonition underscores the expectation of personal responsibility and the value of contributing to one's community through diligent work.

1 Timothy 5:13 · Paul also warns against the social consequences of idleness, particularly among young widows, in his first letter to Timothy:
"At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they should not."
This passage highlights how idleness can lead to gossip and disruptive behavior, further emphasizing the need for purposeful engagement.

Proverbs 31:27 · The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 serves as a model of industriousness and vigilance:
"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
Her diligence and proactive management of her household are presented as commendable traits.

The biblical perspective on idleness consistently advocates for a life of purpose and productivity, warning against the spiritual and material consequences of neglecting one's responsibilities. Through these scriptures, believers are encouraged to embrace diligence and to avoid the pitfalls associated with idleness.Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
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Proverbs 10:4,5,26
He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
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Proverbs 12:9,24,27
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
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Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
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Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.
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Proverbs 15:19
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
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Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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Proverbs 19:15,24
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
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Proverbs 20:4,13
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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Proverbs 21:25,26
The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.
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Proverbs 22:13
The slothful man said, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
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Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
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Proverbs 24:30-34
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
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Proverbs 26:13-16
The slothful man said, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
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Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
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Ecclesiastes 10:18
By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.
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Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
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Ezekiel 16:49
Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
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Matthew 20:6,7
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them, Why stand you here all the day idle?
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Luke 19:20-25
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
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Acts 17:21
(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
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2 Thessalonians 3:10,11
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
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1 Timothy 5:13
And with 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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Concerning the Ministry.
... the proposition concerning the Scriptures is shown more at large. Sec. . XIV. From
all this then we do firmly conclude, that not only in a general apostacy it ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... original languages in which the Scriptures of truth ... their sufferings from poverty
and idleness, were almost ... The general facts being communicated to the world ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

1 Cor. xiii. 8
... For the general effeminacy [222] hath gone so far ... Again, if any through idleness
become poor, if any ... for your negligence concerning the Scriptures: but because ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxiv 1 cor xiii.htm

Ascetic.
... commendation less of monasticism than of general Christian endurance ... are to be carefully
instructed in the Scriptures. ... to be no excuse for idleness and shirking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iii ascetic.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... on account of sumptuous living and idleness, who find ... and persons; but the example
of obedience is general. ... to the rule, that is, contrary to the Scriptures. ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

The Writings of St. Augustin.
... of the elect; it ignores the general benevolence of ... and edifying thoughts on the
Scriptures than in ... De opere monachorum, against monastic idleness (400); De ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv the writings of st.htm

The Strait Gate;
... the Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the general assembly and ... be able." I read
in the Scriptures of two ... word strive supposeth that great idleness is natural ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Articuli xxxix. Ecclesi?? Anglican??. AD 1562.
... Of the Authority of General Councils. ... of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly
are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet ... Against Idleness. ...
/.../articuli xxxix ecclesiae anglicanae a d.htm

John iv. 54; v. 1
... producing much wealth, so in the holy Scriptures it is ... king was asleep or drunk,
the general should endure ... Hebrews 4:10 ): not meaning here idleness, but the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxvi john iv 54.htm

The Westminster Shorter Catechism. AD 1647.
... Assembly in 1647, and adopted by the General Assembly of ... The Scriptures principally
teach what man is to believe ... by idleness, or doing that which is in itself ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism a d.htm

What does the Bible say about gossip? | GotQuestions.org

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What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

Idleness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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