18 Bible Verses about Friendship

When King Hiram of Tyre heard that Solomon succeeded his father as king he sent ambassadors to Solomon. He had always been a friend of David's.

I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women.

The Lord grants mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains.

I find it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.

David finished talking to Saul. Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

While they talked and discussed together Jesus came near and walked with them.

I am a companion of all those who reverence you and keep your precepts.

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Those who respected Jehovah spoke to one another, and Jehovah listened to what they had to say. In his presence a memorial record was written down in a book listing those who reverence Jehovah and respect (esteem) (regard) his name.

They continued devoting themselves to doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.

The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8).

Jehovah would speak with Moses in person (intimately) (face to face) just as someone speaks with a friend. Moses would then return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the Tent.

I speak with him face to face. I speak plainly and not in riddles. He even sees the form of Jehovah. Why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?'

Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom Jehovah knew face to face (intimately),

The disciple whom Jesus loved was leaning on his chest.

Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: Look how deeply he loved him!

I no longer call you servants for the servant does not know what the lord does. I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

The women who followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to him watched from a distance. Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. A disciple of Jesus named Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea, read more.
went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate commanded that it be given to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone in front of the door of the tomb, and departed. Mary Magdalene was near the tomb. The other Mary was also there.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, as an angel of God descended from heaven and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His appearance was as lightning, and his clothing white as snow. read more.
The guards shook with fear and became as dead men. The angel spoke to the women: I know you seek Jesus who has been impaled; do not fear. He is not here, for he has risen just as he promised. Come; see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead. See, he goes before you to Galilee. You will see him there, as I have told you. They departed quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy. They ran to bring his disciples the news.

They were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them. They told these things to the apostles.

Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. She stooped and looked into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Woman why do you weep, they asked? She told them: They have taken my Lord and I do not know where they laid him. read more.
She turned and look there was Jesus standing nearby. She did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her: Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for? She thought he was the gardener. She said: Sir, if you have carried him somewhere else tell me where you laid him and I will take him away. Jesus said: Mary. She turned and said to him in Hebrew: Rabboni, which is to say, Teacher. Jesus said: Do not touch me for I am not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and you're Father, and my God and your God. (Revelation 3:12) Mary Magdalene went to tell the disciples: I have seen the Lord! He said these things to me.

David finished talking to Saul. Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Saul kept him with him that day and would not let him go home to his father's house any more. Jonathan made a covenant with David. He loved him as himself. read more.
Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing. He gave it to David along with his armor, including his sword, his bow and his belt.

Jonathan went to see David. God helped him encourage David. Do not be afraid, Jonathan said. My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you are going to be the next king of Israel. I will be your highest official. Even my father knows it is true. They both promised Jehovah that they would always be loyal to each other. Then Jonathan went home while David stayed at Horesh.

Then David chanted with a lament (dirge) (requiem) over Saul and Jonathan his son. He told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow. It is written in the book of Jashar: Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! read more.
Do not tell the news in Gath. Do not announce the victory in the streets of Ashkelon. The daughters of the Philistines will be glad. The daughters of godless men will celebrate. Let no rain or dew fall on the mountains of Gilboa. Let its fields be barren! For the shields of the mighty lie there in disgrace. The shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil. Jonathan's bow was deadly. The sword of Saul was without mercy. He struck down the mighty and killed the enemy. It was easy to love Saul and Jonathan. Together in life, together in death, they were faster than eagles and stronger than lions. Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul. He clothed you in scarlet with luxury. The brave soldiers have fallen. They were killed in battle. Jonathan lies dead in the hills. I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women. The mighty have fallen, their weapons abandoned and useless.

The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8).

I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. He takes away the branches in me that do not bear fruit. He cleans every branch that bears fruit. That way it may bear more fruit. You are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. read more.
Remain with me, and I with you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain with me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He that remains with me, and I with him, the same bears much fruit. You can do nothing apart from me. If a man does not remain with me, he is removed as a branch, and withers. They gather them and throw them into the fire where they are burned (destroyed) (consumed). If you remain with me, and my words remain with you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit. You will be my disciples. I love you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I spoke these things in order that my joy may continue with you and your joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. No man has greater love then this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things that I command you. I no longer call you servants for the servant does not know what the lord does. I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not choose me. I chose you and appointed you. You should go and bear fruit and your fruit should remain. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

However you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham, my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth. I called you from its farthest corners. I said: 'You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Do not fear for I am with you! Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'

The women who followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to him watched from a distance. Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Once again Jonathan made David promise to love him. Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death.

David reached the top of the Mount of Olives. He met Hushai the Archite at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head. David told him: You might slow me down if you come with me. Go back into the city and tell Absalom: Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you just as I served your father in the past. Hushai, if you do that you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans. read more.
Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. You can tell them everything you hear in the palace. Have them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you hear. David's advisor Hushai slipped back into Jerusalem. Absalom came into the city at the same time.

Later Ahithophel said to Absalom: Let me choose twelve thousand men. Tonight I will set out after David. I will attack him while he is tired and discouraged. He will be frightened! All his men will run away. I will kill only the king. Then I will bring back all his men to you. It will be like a bride returning to her husband. Kill one man and the rest of the people return safely. read more.
This seemed like good advice to Absalom and all the Israelite leaders. Absalom said: Bring in Hushai. Let us hear what he has to say about this. Hushai came to Absalom. He told him what Ahithophel planned. Then Absalom said: Should we do what he says? If we should not, can you come up with something better? Hushai said: This time Ahithophel's advice is not very good. You know your father and his followers are mighty warriors. They are as fierce as a mother bear whose cubs have just been killed. Your father has a lot of experience in fighting wars. He will not spend the night with the others. He has no doubt already found a hiding place in a cave or somewhere else. When people hear that some of your soldiers have been killed, everyone will think your entire army has been destroyed. Even the bravest man with a heart like a lion would lose his courage. All Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and the men with him are brave. My advice is to gather all Israel's troops from Dan to Beersheba. They are as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Lead them into battle yourself. Find him and attack him! We will fall on him as dew falls on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he retreats into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city and drag it into a valley. Not even a pebble will be found there. Absalom and all the people of Israel said: The advice of Hushai from Archi's family is better than Ahithophel's advice. Jehovah commanded Ahithophel's good advice to be defeated in order to ruin Absalom. Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar: Ahithophel advised Absalom and the leaders of Israel to do one thing. But I advised them to do something else. Quickly send messengers to tell David: 'Do not rest tonight in the river crossings in the desert. Make sure you cross the river. Otherwise Your Majesty and all the troops with him will be wiped out.' Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel. They could not risk being seen coming into the city. A servant girl was to go and tell them. They were to go and tell King David. A young man saw Jonathan and Ahimaaz and told Absalom. So both of them left quickly. They went to the home of a man in Bahurim who had a cistern in his courtyard. They climbed down into it. The man's wife took a covering and spread it over the opening of the cistern. She scattered grain over it so that no one would notice anything. Absalom's officials came to the house and asked the woman: Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? She answered: They crossed the river. The men looked for them but could not find them. So they returned to Jerusalem. After they left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the cistern. Then they reported to King David. They told him what Ahithophel planned against him. They said: Hurry up and cross the river. So David and his men crossed the Jordan. By daybreak they had all gone across.

Along the way he entered a village. A woman named Martha received him into her house. Her sister Mary sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word. Martha was worried about the housework. She approached Jesus and said: Lord do you not care that my sister does not help me? Tell her to help me. read more.
The Lord answered: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. However one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the proper way and it shall not be taken away from her.

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived at Bethany where his sisters Mary and Martha lived. This is the same Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. The sisters therefore sent for the Lord, They said: The one for whom you have great affection is sick. read more.
When Jesus heard it he said: This sickness will not end in death. It is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard the news he stayed where he was for two days. After this he said to the disciples: Let us go to Judea again. The disciples said: Rabbi, the Jews were seeking to stone you and you go there? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. Then he told them: Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I go to wake him out of sleep. The disciples said, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he would recover. Jesus spoke of his death. They thought he spoke of taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said plainly: Lazarus is dead! I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, for it will help you believe. Let us go to him. Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go that we may die with him. When Jesus arrived he found Lazarus had been in the grave four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother. Martha went out to meet Jesus and Mary sat in the house. Martha said to Jesus: Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. Even now I know that what ever you ask of God he will give it to you. Jesus replied: Your brother will rise again. Martha exclaimed: I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who puts active faith in me will live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and puts active faith in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said: Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world. After she said this she went away and secretly called her sister Mary. She said: The teacher is here and calls you. Mary got up quickly and went to him. (Now Jesus had not yet arrived at the village and was still at the place where Martha met him.) The Jews were with her in the house, consoling her. They saw Mary get up quickly and leave. So they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary saw Jesus she fell down at his feet. She said: Lord; if you had been here my brother would not have died. Jesus groaned in his spirit and was troubled when he saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her weeping. He asked: Where have you laid him? They answered: Come and see Lord. Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: Look how deeply he loved him! Some of them said: This man opened the eyes of the blind. Could he have prevented this man from dying? Again Jesus groaned in himself. He went to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid against it. Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man said: Lord by now the body has decayed for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not say that if you believe you shall see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said: Father, I thank you that you hear me. I knew that you always hear me. But because of the crowd that stands here I said it, that they may believe that you did send me. After he finished he cried out loud: Lazarus, come out! He that was dead came out. He was bound hand and foot with grave-clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus commanded them: Unwrap him and let him go. Many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what he did, believed in him. Some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things that Jesus had done.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. If they fall, the one will lift up his companion. Woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him.

Naomi took the child in her arms and took care of it.

I find it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly that I may be encouraged when I know your circumstances. For I have no man likeminded, who will truly care for you.

But you know of his proven worth. It was like a son with his father that he served with me to further the good news.

So Jehu got into his carriage and went to Jezreel. Joram was ill in bed there and Ahaziah, king of Judah came to see him.

King Ahaziah joined King Joram of Israel in a war against King Hazael of Syria. The armies clashed at Ramoth in Gilead. Joram was wounded in battle. He returned to the city of Jezreel to recover from his wounds. Ahaziah went there to visit him.

Jehovah said to Samuel: How long will you mourn for Saul? After all I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Take oil in your vessel and go. I will send you to Jesse, the Beth-lehemite. I have a king from among his sons.

Samuel never saw Saul again until the day of his death. Samuel went into mourning for Saul. It was no longer Jehovah's pleasure for Saul to be king over Israel.

A man with friends must be friendly! A friend sticks closer than a brother.

Do not forget your friends or your father's friends. If you are in trouble, do not ask a relative for help. A nearby neighbor can help you more than relatives who are far away.

A friend loves at all times. A true brother is born for adversity.

Just as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.

The Lord grants mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains.

A man with friends must be friendly! A friend sticks closer than a brother.

A man with friends must be friendly! A friend sticks closer than a brother.

A friend loves at all times. A true brother is born for adversity.

No man has greater love then this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things that I command you.

Many ask favors of the prince. Every man is a friend of a person who gives gifts.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

He who covers a transgression seeks love but he who gossips breaks up friendships.

The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death.

They have risked their own necks for my life. I not only thank them but also the congregations of the nations give thanks.

and on the way Elijah said to Elisha: Stay here for Jehovah has ordered me to go to Bethel. But Elisha answered: I swear by my loyalty to the living God Jehovah and to you that I will not leave you. So they went on to Bethel.

Job's three friends heard about all the terrible things that happened to him. Each of them came from his home: Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama. They agreed they would go together to sympathize with Job and comfort him. They saw him from a distance and did not even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept. Each of them tore his clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads. Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him because they saw that he was in such great pain.

Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive. Abram led his trained men, born in his house, three hundred eighteen of them, in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night. He and his servants routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.

Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go that we may die with him.

Ruth replied: Do not ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die. That is where I will be buried. May Jehovah's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!

Jesus knew before the feast of the Passover that the time had come for him to leave this world and return to his Father. He loved his own who were in the world to the very end.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus. They have risked their own necks for my life. I not only thank them but also the congregations of the nations give thanks.

Stay with me. Do not be afraid. The one who is seeking my life is also seeking your life. You will be under my protection.

Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity (hatred) (hostility) toward God? Whoever would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity (hatred) (hostility) toward God? Whoever would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Hearing about the ambush, Paul's sister's son entered the barracks and reported to Paul.

David thought: I will show kindness to Hanun since his father Nahash showed me kindness. David sent his servants to comfort Hanun after his father's death. When David's servants entered Ammonite territory,

Daniel requested that the king appoint Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel sat in the court of the king.

When King Hiram of Tyre heard that Solomon succeeded his father as king he sent ambassadors to Solomon. He had always been a friend of David's.

The first account I composed, O Theophilus, was about all that Jesus did and taught,

Behold! The hour comes, and indeed, it is here, that you will be scattered and each one will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.

Behold! The hour comes, and indeed, it is here, that you will be scattered and each one will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.