Bible Verses About Idle Hands
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for idle hands, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 2,457 votes, led by Proverbs 19:15. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Idle Hands
Proverbs 19:15272 votes
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
1 Timothy 5:13186 votes
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.
Proverbs 12:24154 votes
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Proverbs 31:27132 votes
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 16:27126 votes
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12126 votes
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Ecclesiastes 10:18119 votes
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Proverbs 18:9100 votes
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Ephesians 4:2897 votes
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.
Proverbs 10:4-590 votes
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-1285 votes
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.
Matthew 12:3684 votes
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Proverbs 6:6-1177 votes
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 24:30-3473 votes
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Proverbs 14:2368 votes
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 6:9-1164 votes
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 20:460 votes
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
1 Thessalonians 5:1443 votes
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Proverbs 21:2540 votes
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 12:1138 votes
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Ephesians 5:15-1638 votes
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Proverbs 10:434 votes
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
2 Thessalonians 3:1130 votes
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Proverbs 13:429 votes
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 12:2728 votes
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
What does the Bible say about idle hands?
Readers most often cite Proverbs 19:15 on the subject of idle hands. Across 2,457 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including 1 Timothy 5:13, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 31:27. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.