100 Bible Verses about Friendships

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 111 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 92 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 88 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 83 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 27:9 ESV / 78 helpful votes

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

John 15:13 ESV / 61 helpful votes

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

Job 6:14 ESV / 55 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 49 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 49 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 27:6 ESV / 48 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 43 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 40 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 35 helpful votes

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

James 4:4 ESV / 31 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.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 30 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 29 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!

Luke 6:31 ESV / 26 helpful votes

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

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 25 helpful votes

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

John 15:15 ESV / 23 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.

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 23 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.

Ruth 1:17 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

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

John 15:12-15 ESV / 20 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.

Job 2:11 ESV / 19 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.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 19 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. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:19 ESV / 18 helpful votes

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Ruth 1:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

1 Samuel 22:23 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”

1 John 4:7 ESV / 14 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 14 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 14 helpful votes

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

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.

Proverbs 22:24-27 ESV / 13 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. Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 12 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:

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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.

John 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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 19:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 14:6-7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

1 John 4:21 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 11 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.

John 15:13-15 ESV / 11 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.

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

Psalm 41:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

2 Samuel 10:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites.

James 4:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 2:23 ESV / 10 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.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 10 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.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Job 16:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God,

Job 2:11-13 ESV / 10 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.

2 Samuel 15:32-37 ESV / 10 helpful votes

While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.” ...

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 10 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.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Romans 5:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 1:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Romans 1:11-12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 9 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 Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Matthew 18:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Proverbs 25:19 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

Romans 12:10-11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

John 15:12-14 ESV / 7 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.

John 15:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Luke 10:38-42 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Psalm 68:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 6 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.”

2 Timothy 4:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

Philippians 2:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Romans 12:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 6 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. ...

John 11:1-46 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ...

Matthew 27:55-61 ESV / 6 helpful votes

There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud ...

Proverbs 27:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 25:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Proverbs 18:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Proverbs 16:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Psalm 88:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Job 19:13-22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“He has put my brothers far from me, and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me. My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me. The guests in my house and my maidservants count me as a stranger; I have become a foreigner in their eyes. I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; I must plead with him with my mouth for mercy. My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother. ...

Job 16:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all.

1 Kings 5:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David.

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 6 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.

Philippians 2:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Philippians 2:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 20:11-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” ...

John 15:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

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