'Associates' in the Bible
In the second year after they had come to the temple of God in Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak initiated the work, along with the rest of their associates, the priests and the Levites, and all those who were coming to Jerusalem from the exile. They appointed the Levites who were at least twenty years old to take charge of the work on the Lord's temple.
Even I and my relatives and my associates are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral!
But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.
I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.
The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
Look, all his associates will be put to shame; the craftsmen are mere humans. Let them all assemble and take their stand! They will panic and be put to shame.