13 Bible Verses About Being in Debt

The 13 most-voted scriptures about Being in Debt, from 10 books (Proverbs, Romans, Deuteronomy and 7 more), ranked by the OpenBible.info community.

Updated November 3, 2026How this page is checked

Romans 13:8

BSB

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Overview

Owing, borrowing and lending are the subject of several of the verses that readers of OpenBible linked to being in debt; others speak of money and of work. They are shown here in three groups, described below with their references.

Owing, borrowing and lending

Romans 13:8

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

KJV

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

WEB

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, in a passage that sums up the commandments in loving one's neighbor.

Context (BSB)

Romans 13:7

Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Romans 13:9

The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Interlinear (Strong’s)

μηδενὶ

G3367

mēdeni

G:A

nothing

μηδὲν

G3367

mēden

G:A

nothing

ὀφείλετε

G3784

opheilete

G:V

to owe

εἰ

G1487H

G:COND

if: not

μὴ

G3361

mē

G:PRT-N

not

τὸ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

ἀλλήλους

G0240

allēlous

G:C-

one another

ἀγαπᾶν·

G0025

agapan

G:V

to love

ὁ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

ἀγαπῶν

G0025

agapōn

G:V

to love

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

ἕτερον

G2087

heteron

G:A

other

νόμον

G3551

nomon

G:N-M

law

πεπλήρωκεν·

G4137

peplērōken

G:V

to fulfill

Proverbs 22:7

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

KJV

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

WEB

The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

From Proverbs, near the end of the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:8

He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

עָ֭שִׁיר

H6223

'A.shir

H:N-M

rich

בְּ/רָשִׁ֣ים

H7326

be./ra.Shim

H:V

be poor

יִמְשׁ֑וֹל

H4910

yim.Shol

H:V

to rule

וְ/עֶ֥בֶד

H5650

ve./'E.ved

H:N-M

servant/slave

לֹ֝וֶ֗ה

H3867B

lo.Veh

H:V

to borrow

לְ/אִ֣ישׁ

H0376G

le./'Ish

H:N-M

man

מַלְוֶֽה\׃

H3867B

mal.Veh

H:V

to borrow

Romans 13:7

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

KJV

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

WEB

Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, right after a passage about governing authorities.

Context (BSB)

Romans 13:6

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

Romans 13:8

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

ἀπόδοτε

G0591

apodote

G:V

to pay

οὖν

G3767

oun

G:CONJ

therefore/then

πᾶσιν

G3956

pasin

G:A

all

τὰς

G3588

tas

G:T

the/this/who

ὀφειλάς,

G3782

opheilas

G:N-F

debt

τῷ

G3588

tō

G:T

the/this/who

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

φόρον

G5411

phoron

G:N-M

tax

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

φόρον,

G5411

phoron

G:N-M

tax

τῷ

G3588

tō

G:T

the/this/who

τὸ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

τέλος

G5056

telos

G:N-N

goal/tax

τὸ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

τέλος,

G5056

telos

G:N-N

goal/tax

τῷ

G3588

tō

G:T

the/this/who

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

φόβον

G5401

phobon

G:N-M

fear

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

φόβον,

G5401

phobon

G:N-M

fear

τῷ

G3588

tō

G:T

the/this/who

τὴν

G3588

tēn

G:T

the/this/who

τιμὴν

G5092

timēn

G:N-F

honor

τὴν

G3588

tēn

G:T

the/this/who

τιμήν.

G5092

timēn

G:N-F

honor

Psalm 37:21

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

KJV

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

WEB

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 37:20

But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Psalm 37:22

Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

לֹוֶ֣ה

H3867B

lo.Veh

H:V

to borrow

רָ֭שָׁע

H7563

Ra.sho'

H:N

wicked

וְ/לֹ֣א

H3808

ve./Lo'

H:Neg

not

יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם

H7999A

ye.sha.Lem

H:V

to complete

וְ֝/צַדִּ֗יק

H6662

ve./tza.Dik

H:A

righteous

חוֹנֵ֥ן

H2603A

cho.Nen

H:V

be gracious

וְ/נוֹתֵֽן\׃

H5414G

ve./no.Ten

H:V

to give: give

Deuteronomy 15:6

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

When the LORD your God blesses you as He has promised, you will lend to many nations but borrow from none; you will rule over many nations but be ruled by none.

KJV

For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

WEB

For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

Moses speaking to Israel in Deuteronomy, in a passage about canceling debts at the end of every seven years.

Context (BSB)

Deuteronomy 15:5

if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.

Deuteronomy 15:7

If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

כִּֽי\־

H3588A

ki-

H:Conj

for

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068G

Yah.weh

N:N--T

LORD

אֱלֹהֶ֙י/ךָ֙

H0430G

'e.lo.Hei./kha

H:N-M

God

בֵּֽרַכְ/ךָ֔

H1288

be.rakh./Kha

H:V

to bless

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר

H0834D

ka./'a.Sher

H:Prep+H:RelP

as which

דִּבֶּר\־

H1696I

di.ber-

H:V

to speak: promise

לָ֑/ךְ

H9031

La/kh

Os2m

you

וְ/הַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞

H5670

ve./ha.'a.va.Ta

H:V

to lend

גּוֹיִ֣ם

H1471A

go.Yim

H:N-M

nation

רַבִּ֗ים

H7227A

ra.Bim

H:N

many

וְ/אַתָּה֙

H0859A

ve./'a.Tah

H:PerP-MS

you(m.s.)

לֹ֣א

H3808

lo'

H:Neg

not

תַעֲבֹ֔ט

H5670

ta.'a.Vot

H:V

to lend

וּ/מָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙

H4910

u./ma.shal.Ta

H:V

to rule

בְּ/גוֹיִ֣ם

H1471A

be./go.Yim

H:N-M

nation

רַבִּ֔ים

H7227A

ra.Bim

H:N

many

וּ/בְ/ךָ֖

H9031

u./ve./Kha

Os2m

you

לֹ֥א

H3808

lo'

H:Neg

not

יִמְשֹֽׁלוּ\׃\ \ס

H4910

yim.Sho.lu

H:V

to rule

Proverbs 22:26–27

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

26Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. 27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

KJV

26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

WEB

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts. 27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

From Proverbs, among the sayings that the book attributes to the wise; this entry joins verses 26 and 27.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 22:25

or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 22:28

Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

Proverbs 22:26

אַל\־

H0408

'al-

H:Neg

not

תְּהִ֥י

H1961

te.Hi

H:V

to be

בְ/תֹֽקְעֵי\־

H8628

ve./to.ke.'ei-

H:V

to blow

כָ֑ף

H3709G

Khaf

H:N-F

palm

בַּ֝/עֹרְבִ֗ים

H6148

ba./'o.re.Vim

H:V

to pledge

מַשָּׁאֽוֹת\׃

H4859

ma.sha.'ot

H:N-F

loan

Proverbs 22:27

אִם\־

H0518A

'im-

H:Cond

אֵֽין\־

H0369

'ein-

H:Neg

nothing

לְ/ךָ֥

H9031

le./Kha

Os2m

you

לְ/שַׁלֵּ֑ם

H7999A

le./sha.Lem

H:V

to complete

לָ֥/מָּה

H4100

La./mah

H:Intg

what?

יִקַּ֥ח

H3947G

yi.Kach

H:V

to take: take

מִ֝שְׁכָּבְ/ךָ֗

H4904

mish.ka.ve./kha

H:N-M

bed

מִ/תַּחְתֶּֽי/ךָ\׃

H8478G

mi./tach.Tei./kha

H:N-M

underneath: under

Wealth, money, work and counting the cost

Proverbs 13:11

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

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

KJV

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

WEB

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 13:10

Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

ה֭וֹן

H1952

Hon

H:N-M

substance

מֵ/הֶ֣בֶל

H1892

me./He.vel

H:N-M

vanity

יִמְעָ֑ט

H4591

yim.'At

H:V

to diminish

וְ/קֹבֵ֖ץ

H6908

ve./ko.Vetz

H:V

to gather

עַל\־

H5921A

'al-

H:Prep

upon

יָ֣ד

H3027G

yad

H:N

hand

יַרְבֶּֽה\׃

H7235A

yar.Beh

H:V

to multiply

Matthew 6:24

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

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.

KJV

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

WEB

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, speaking to His disciples and the crowds.

Context (BSB)

Matthew 6:23

But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Interlinear (Strong’s)

Οὐδεὶς

G3762

Oudeis

G:A

none

δύναται

G1410

dunatai

G:V

be able

δυσὶ

G1417

dusi

G:A-NUI

two

κυρίοις

G2962H

kuriois

G:N-M

lord: master

δουλεύειν·

G1398

douleuein

G:V

be a slave

ἢ

G2228

G:CONJ

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

ἕνα

G1520

hena

G:A-NUI

one

μισήσει

G3404

misēsei

G:V

to hate

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

τὸν

G3588

ton

G:T

the/this/who

ἕτερον

G2087

heteron

G:A

other

ἀγαπήσει

G0025

agapēsei

G:V

to love

ἢ

G2228

G:CONJ

ἑνὸς

G1520

henos

G:A-NUI

one

ἀνθέξεται

G0472

anthexetai

G:V

to cling to

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

τοῦ

G3588

tou

G:T

the/this/who

ἑτέρου

G2087

heterou

G:A

other

καταφρονήσει.

G2706

kataphronēsei

G:V

to despise

οὐ

G3756

G:PRT-N

δύνασθε

G1410

dunasthe

G:V

be able

θεῷ

G2316

theō

G:N-M/F

God

δουλεύειν

G1398

douleuein

G:V

be a slave

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

μαμωνᾷ.¶

G3126

mamōna

G:N-M

wealth

Luke 14:28

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?

KJV

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

WEB

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

Jesus speaking to the large crowds traveling with Him, in the Gospel of Luke.

Context (BSB)

Luke 14:27

And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:29

Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

Interlinear (Strong’s)

Τίς

G5101

Tis

G:I

which?

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

ἐξ

G1537

G:PREP

out from

ὑμῶν

G4771

humōn

G:P-2

you

ὁ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

θέλων

G2309

thelōn

G:V

to will/desire

πύργον

G4444

purgon

G:N-M

tower

οἰκοδομῆσαι

G3618

oikodomēsai

G:V

to build

οὐχὶ

G3780

ouchi

G:PRT-N

not!

πρῶτον

G4413G

prōton

G:A

first

καθίσας

G2523

kathisas

G:V

to seat

ψηφίζει

G5585

psēphizei

G:V

to calculate

τὴν

G3588

tēn

G:T

the/this/who

δαπάνην

G1160

dapanēn

G:N-F

cost

εἰ

G1487G

G:COND

ἔχει

G2192

echei

G:V

to have/be

τὰ

G3588

G:T

the/this/who

εἰς

G1519

eis

G:PREP

toward

ἀπαρτισμόν;

G0535

apartismon

G:N-M

completion

Colossians 3:23

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

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

KJV

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

WEB

And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

From a letter in the names of Paul and Timothy to the believers in Colossae, in a passage addressed to slaves.

Context (BSB)

Colossians 3:22

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

Colossians 3:24

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

Interlinear (Strong’s)

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

πᾶν

G3956

pan

G:A

all

ὃ

G3739

G:R

which

τι

G5100

G:X

one

ἐὰν

G1437

ean

G:COND

ποιῆτε,

G4160G

poiēte

G:V

to do/make: do

ἐκ

G1537

G:PREP

out from

ψυχῆς

G5590G

psuchēs

G:N-F

soul

ἐργάζεσθε

G2038

ergazesthe

G:V

to work

ὡς

G5613

hōs

G:PREP

as/when

τῷ

G3588

tō

G:T

the/this/who

κυρίῳ

G2962G

kuriō

G:N-M

lord: God

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

οὐκ

G3756

ouk

G:PRT-N

ἀνθρώποις·

G0444

anthrōpois

G:N-M

a human

1 Timothy 6:10

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

KJV

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

WEB

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

From a letter written in the name of Paul to Timothy, near its end.

Context (BSB)

1 Timothy 6:9

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

ῥίζα

G4491

rhiza

G:N-F

root

γὰρ

G1063

gar

G:CONJ

for

πάντων

G3956

pantōn

G:A

all

τῶν

G3588

tōn

G:T

the/this/who

κακῶν

G2556G

kakōn

G:A

evil/harm: evil

ἐστιν

G1510

estin

G:V

to be

ἡ

G3588

hē

G:T

the/this/who

φιλαργυρία,

G5365

philarguria

G:N-F

love of money

ἧς

G3739

hēs

G:R

which

τινες

G5100

tines

G:X

one

ὀρεγόμενοι

G3713

oregomenoi

G:V

to aspire

ἀπεπλανήθησαν

G0635

apeplanēthēsan

G:V

to mislead

ἀπὸ

G0575

apo

G:PREP

away from

τῆς

G3588

tēs

G:T

the/this/who

πίστεως

G4102G

pisteōs

G:N-F

faith

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

ἑαυτοὺς

G1438

he'autous

G:F-3

themself

περιέπειραν

G4044

periepeiran

G:V

to pierce

ὀδύναις

G3601

odunais

G:N-F

anguish

πολλαῖς.¶

G4183

pollais

G:A / G:ADV

much

Verses to pray, send and memorize

A verse to pray
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
BSB
A verse to send to someone
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
BSB
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Translation
BSB KJV WEB
Text to copyNow faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1 (BSB) https://justtheverses.com/topics/being-in-debt/#hebrews-11-1

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A short verse to memorize
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
Proverbs 13:11
BSB

13 verses, from 10 books:

Deuteronomy (1)
Psalm (1)
Proverbs (3)
Matthew (1)
Luke (1)
John (1)
Romans (2)
Colossians (1)
1 Timothy (1)
Hebrews (1)

13 Bible Verses About Being in Debt

Overview

Owing, borrowing and lending

Romans 13:8

Proverbs 22:7

Romans 13:7

Psalm 37:21

Deuteronomy 15:6

Proverbs 22:26–27

Wealth, money, work and counting the cost

Proverbs 13:11

Matthew 6:24

Luke 14:28

Colossians 3:23

1 Timothy 6:10

Other verses

John 3:16

Hebrews 11:1

Verses to pray, send and memorize

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