The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.

The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time. Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.

Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; 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 need like a bandit.

Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. . . .

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.

Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted. . . .

Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, . . .

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;