Bible verses about friendship
Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:17 and John 15:13-15 are the verses that come up most for friendship. They talk about loyalty in hard times, friends making each other better, and Jesus calling his followers friends. All eleven verses are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
In the World English Bible
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Loyalty that stays through good and bad weather. The proverb pairs a friend with a sibling born for hard times.
2.Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
In the World English Bible
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Having lots of companions can still leave a person lonely. One close friend can be closer than a brother.
3.Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
In the World English Bible
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
People improve each other through honest contact, like blades on a whetstone.
4.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
In the World English Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
Someone to pick you up when you fall. A plain case for not going it alone.
5.John 15:13-15
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
In the World English Bible
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
Jesus calls his followers friends instead of servants, and names the greatest love as giving up your life for them.
6.1 Samuel 18:1-3
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
In the World English Bible
When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Jonathan and David bond right away and make a pledge. A friendship that cost Jonathan a lot.
7.Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
In the World English Bible
The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Honest hurt from a friend beats flattery from an enemy. Not easy to hear.
8.Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
In the World English Bible
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
Perfume and warm advice from a friend are both described as good for the heart.
9.Job 2:13
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
In the World English Bible
So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
Job's three friends sit with him in silence for seven days. Sometimes showing up is the whole help.
10.Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
In the World English Bible
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Spend time with wise people and some of it rubs off. The reverse is true too.
11.Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
In the World English Bible
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Be glad with the happy and cry with the sad. Matching someone's mood is a quiet form of care.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about friendship?
Proverbs 17:17 is a good place to start. Loyalty that stays through good and bad weather. The proverb pairs a friend with a sibling born for hard times.
What does the Bible say about true friends?
Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 18:24 describe a friend who stays loyal when things get hard. Proverbs 27:6 adds honesty to the list. John 15:13-15 gives Jesus' own idea of friendship.
Who are the famous friends in the Bible?
David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-3), Ruth and Naomi, and Job and his three visitors (Job 2:13) are well known. Jesus also calls his followers friends in John 15:15. The Bible is honest about friends who fail, too.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.