Bible verses about work
Bible verses about work include Colossians 3:23-24, which says to do your tasks as if they were for the Lord, Proverbs 14:23, which says effort pays off, and Genesis 2:15, which shows work in the garden before anything went wrong. They cover effort, rest and enjoying the job. All twelve are below.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Colossians 3:23-24
And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
In the World English Bible
And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Paul is writing to people with little say over their jobs. He says to do the task as if it were for the Lord, not for a boss.
2.Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
In the World English Bible
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
Effort pays off, and talk alone leads to poverty. A blunt one for anyone who keeps planning and never starts.
3.Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
In the World English Bible
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
The Teacher says to put full strength into whatever your hand finds to do, since the grave is no place for projects.
4.Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
In the World English Bible
The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
Work shows up before things go wrong. The first man is placed in the garden to tend it and look after it.
5.Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
In the World English Bible
Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
Go look at an ant. No boss, no overseer, and it still stores up food in summer.
6.2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
In the World English Bible
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
Paul tells a church that people who refuse to work shouldn't eat, and urges the idle to settle down and earn their own bread. It is aimed at people who are able.
7.Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
In the World English Bible
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.
A prayer from Moses asking for the work of their hands to be made firm. Short enough to say at the start of a shift.
8.Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
In the World English Bible
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
Committing your work to the Lord comes first in this verse, and steady plans follow. Handy to read before a big project.
9.Exodus 20:9-10
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
In the World English Bible
You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
Six days of work, then a day of rest. The commandment treats both as part of the week.
10.Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
In the World English Bible
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
Enjoying your work is called a gift from God. The Teacher says eating, drinking and finding good in your labor is something to receive.
11.Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
In the World English Bible
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
A person skilled at their job will stand before kings, not nobodies. No guarantee is made, but the verse values doing it well.
12.1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
In the World English Bible
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Stay steady and keep at it, says the closing line of a long chapter on resurrection. Work for the Lord isn't wasted.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about work?
Colossians 3:23-24 is a good place to start. Paul is writing to people with little say over their jobs. He says to do the task as if it were for the Lord, not for a boss.
What does the Bible say about laziness?
Proverbs 6:6-8 points to the ant as a model of working without a boss. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 tells idle people to get to work and earn their own food. Both passages are about people who are able to work, not people who can't.
Is work a punishment in the Bible?
Genesis 2:15 puts work in the garden before things went wrong. After that, Genesis 3:17-19 describes it becoming hard and sweaty. So Scripture shows work as present from the start, and later as something that got difficult.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.