What Does the Bible Say About Best Friends?
Here are 20 Bible verses about best friends, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
BSBA man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
- #2Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
BSBA friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- #3Proverbs 17:9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
BSBWhoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- #4Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
BSBAs iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
- #5Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
BSBA perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
- #6Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
BSBFor if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
- #7Job 6:14
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
BSBA despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
- #8Proverbs 22:24-25
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
BSBDo not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
- #9Proverbs 12:26
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
BSBA righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
- #10Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
BSBTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
- #11Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
BSBOil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
- #121 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
BSBDo not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- #131 Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
BSBTherefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
- #14Luke 6:31
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
BSBDo to others as you would have them do to you.
- #151 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
BSBBeloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
- #16Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
BSBHe who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- #17James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
BSBYou adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
- #18Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
BSBBe devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
- #19Proverbs 27:10
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
BSBDo not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
- #201 Peter 4:8-10
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
BSBAbove all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).