1. In the Old Testament
In Ezr 5:8, “with diligence” means “with care”; in Ezr 6:12; Ezr 7:17, “with speed,” “speedily”; in Pro 4:23 “watchfulness”; in Deu 4:9; Deu 6:17; Deu 19:18; Psa 77:6; Pro 27:23; Isa 55:2; Mic 7:3, “with care,” “scrupulously,” “earnestly.” Sometimes it means “early” “with haste” (Job 8:5; Pro 8:17). It may mean “industrious,” “exacting” (Pro 10:4; Pro 12:27; Pro 22:29).
2. In the New Testament
The American revisers have rendered “diligence” for various words in the King James Version, e.g. for “business” in Rom 12:11; “giving diligence” for “endeavoring” (Eph 4:3); “give diligence” for “study” (2Ti 2:15,), for “labor” (Heb 4:11); “diligently” for “carefully” (Php 2:28; Heb 12:17); “be diligent in” for “meditate upon” (1Ti 4:15). It is well also to remember that the Old English meaning of diligence is “with love,” from