Bible Verses About Work

27 verses in the King James Version (KJV) and the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

Most of us spend a large share of our lives working, whether in an office, a classroom, a kitchen, or a field. The Bible treats work as part of what humans were made for, not merely a necessity. These verses talk about diligence, honesty, doing a job well, and finding satisfaction in labor, while also warning against overwork. Read them on a Monday morning, before a big project, or when your job feels like it doesn't matter. It does.

Colossians 3:23

KJV

And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
BSB

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:24

KJV

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
BSB

because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Proverbs 16:3

KJV

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
BSB

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Proverbs 14:23

KJV

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
BSB

There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 12:11

KJV

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
BSB

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 13:4

KJV

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
BSB

The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Proverbs 10:4

KJV

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
BSB

Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 22:29

KJV

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
BSB

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.
Ecclesiastes 9:10

KJV

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.
BSB

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.
Ecclesiastes 3:13

KJV

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
BSB

and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24

KJV

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
BSB

Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.
Genesis 2:15

KJV

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
BSB

Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
2 Thessalonians 3:10

KJV

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
BSB

For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11

KJV

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
BSB

and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
1 Thessalonians 4:12

KJV

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
BSB

Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
Psalm 90:17

KJV

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.
BSB

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands— yes, establish the work of our hands!
1 Corinthians 10:31

KJV

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
BSB

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 15:58

KJV

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.
BSB

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Galatians 6:9

KJV

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
BSB

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Ephesians 4:28

KJV

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.
BSB

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.
Ephesians 6:7

KJV

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
BSB

Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,
Proverbs 6:6

KJV

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
BSB

Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
Exodus 20:9

KJV

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
BSB

Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Titus 2:7

KJV

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
BSB

In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
2 Timothy 2:15

KJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
BSB

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
Proverbs 21:5

KJV

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
BSB

The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Hebrews 6:10

KJV

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
BSB

For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

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