What Does the Bible Say About A Friend That Sticks Closer Than?

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 21 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

James 4:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

John 15:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

John 15:12-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. ...

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Psalm 41:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Job 6:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

John 15:14-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Isaiah 41:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

1 Peter 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Romans 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Acts 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ...

Acts 2:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

John 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Luke 7:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

Luke 6:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

Proverbs 27:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ...

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, ...

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

Proverbs 19:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Proverbs 18:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

Proverbs 18:1-24:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. ...

Proverbs 18:1-19:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. ...

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. ...

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 88:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

Job 42:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 2:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

64 Bible Verses about A Friend That Sticks Closer Than

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 41:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 6:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:14-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 41:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 7:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:1-24:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:1-19:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 88:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 42:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 2:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

James 4:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John 15:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John 15:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John 15:12-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Psalm 41:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Job 6:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 15:14-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 15:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Isaiah 41:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Hebrews 13:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 2:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 7:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 6:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 19:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:1-24:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:1-19:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 88:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Job 42:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Job 2:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Job 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes