100 Bible Verses about Making Friends

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 542 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 / 469 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 450 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 375 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 302 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.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 290 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 287 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 262 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 247 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!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 213 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 208 helpful votes

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

John 15:13 ESV / 200 helpful votes

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

James 4:4 ESV / 189 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 15:12-15 ESV / 188 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.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 178 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 / 155 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 154 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 153 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 137 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 27:6 ESV / 136 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 126 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.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 125 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 124 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 105 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 104 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 15:13-15 ESV / 99 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.

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 89 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:

John 15:15 ESV / 82 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.

Job 2:11 ESV / 82 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.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 81 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Job 6:14 ESV / 79 helpful votes

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

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 74 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 ...

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 74 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 74 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 71 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 69 helpful votes

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

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 68 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.

James 4:8 ESV / 63 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.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Proverbs 14:6-7 ESV / 60 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.

Romans 5:10 ESV / 57 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.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 53 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 51 helpful votes

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

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 50 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 1:10 ESV / 50 helpful votes

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 50 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV / 49 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.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 49 helpful votes

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

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 48 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.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 47 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 46 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.

Romans 1:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

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

Matthew 18:20 ESV / 46 helpful votes

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

James 2:23 ESV / 45 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.

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 45 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.”

Exodus 23:2 ESV / 42 helpful votes

You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice,

Job 16:20-21 ESV / 41 helpful votes

My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.

Romans 1:11-12 ESV / 39 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.

Proverbs 24:26 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV / 38 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!

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 37 helpful votes

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

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 37 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.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 36 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 19:19 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 19:6-7 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

Psalm 68:6 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

1 Samuel 20:17 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

1 John 4:21 ESV / 35 helpful votes

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

John 13:34-35 ESV / 34 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Job 2:11-13 ESV / 34 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.

John 15:12-14 ESV / 33 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.

Mark 12:30-31 ESV / 33 helpful votes

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

Ruth 1:16 ESV / 33 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.

James 4:11 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

1 Samuel 18:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Proverbs 19:4 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

John 3:16 ESV / 20 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.

Romans 12:5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Romans 8:38-39 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

Job 29:4-6 ESV / 12 helpful votes

As I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent, when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me, when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!

3 John 1:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Matthew 7:15-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

Psalm 27:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Philippians 2:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

Romans 12:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Luke 16:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Philemon 1:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

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