The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
KJV
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
NASB
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
NIV
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
NLT
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
Proverbs 12:24
ESV
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
KJV
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
NASB
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
NIV
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
NLT
Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
ESV
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
KJV
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
NASB
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
NIV
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
NLT
Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
“Measure the time of your sleep appropriately so that you do not waste your precious morning hours sluggishly in your bed. Let the time of your sleep be matched to your health and labor, and not to slothful pleasure.” ~ Richard Baxter
Colossians 3:23
ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
NASB
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
NLT
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
“It is because of our fallen state that some are lazy and refuse to work, while others are slothful and careless in their work. Sin causes some to view work selfishly – solely from a financial perspective. In other words, they have little regard for the service they may be able to render to God or the glory due to Him. They view work only as a way to get money and thus stuff for themselves.” ~ Ken Jones
Proverbs 19:15
ESV
The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
KJV
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
NASB
Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.
NIV
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
NLT
Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
ESV
Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
KJV
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
NASB
Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.
NIV
Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
NLT
Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house.
Romans 12:11
ESV
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
KJV
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
NASB
not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
NIV
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
NLT
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Proverbs 19:15
ESV
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
KJV
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
NASB
Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.
NIV
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
NLT
Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.
Matthew 25:26
ESV
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?
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:
NASB
“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
NIV
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
NLT
“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate,
Proverbs 21:25
ESV
KJV
NASB
NIV
NLT
Proverbs 18:19
ESV
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.
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