100 Bible Verses about Best Friends

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 47 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 / 39 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV / 25 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 16:28 ESV / 25 helpful votes

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

Job 6:14 ESV / 25 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 24 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 12:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 23 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 23 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 23 helpful votes

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

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

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

Luke 6:31 ESV / 21 helpful votes

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

1 John 4:7 ESV / 20 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV / 19 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:

James 4:4 ESV / 19 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.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 19 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 19 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 13:20 ESV / 19 helpful votes

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

John 15:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 16 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 15:15 ESV / 16 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 16 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!

John 15:12-15 ESV / 15 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 4:9-12 ESV / 15 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.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

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

Romans 1:11-12 ESV / 13 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.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 12 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 / 12 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 1:12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

John 15:12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

John 15:12-14 ESV / 12 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.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Job 2:11 ESV / 12 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 John 4:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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 / 10 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

Psalm 68:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

Ruth 1:16 ESV / 10 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.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Romans 12:10-11 ESV / 9 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 15:12-13 ESV / 9 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.

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:24-27 ESV / 9 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 11:13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 9 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 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.

Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 8 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. ...

Job 42:10 ESV / 8 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.

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Romans 13:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 12:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

John 15:13-15 ESV / 7 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.

John 14:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 7 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.

Proverbs 27:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Psalm 73:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 7 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.

Job 29:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

As I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,

Job 16:20-21 ESV / 7 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.

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 7 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.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 6 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 ...

1 John 3:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

James 4:8 ESV / 6 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.

2 Timothy 1:2-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

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; ...

John 3:16 ESV / 6 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.

Matthew 18:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

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 22:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 6 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 15:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 14:6-7 ESV / 6 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.

Psalm 41:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Job 16:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

2 Samuel 15:32-37 ESV / 6 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.” ...

2 Samuel 10:2 ESV / 6 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.

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.

1 Samuel 22:23 ESV / 6 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 Samuel 20:42 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel 20:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 6 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.

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 6 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.”

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 5:10 ESV / 5 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.

Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ...

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