What Does the Bible Say About On Choosing Friends?

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

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 17:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

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 4:9-10 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!

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 3 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.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 3 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.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Romans 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

John 15:15 ESV / 3 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 15:12-15 ESV / 3 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.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Revelation 12:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, ...

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

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:

James 4:4 ESV / 2 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.

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.

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 2 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 6:9-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Romans 12:10-11 ESV / 2 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 15:13-15 ESV / 2 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 15:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

John 15:12-13 ESV / 2 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.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV / 2 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!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 2 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 24:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

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 16:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

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 26:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

Psalm 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Job 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

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.

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 2 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.

53 Bible Verses about On Choosing Friends

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

Romans 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

John 15:12-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

James 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Proverbs 16:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Psalm 26:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Job 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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