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Bible Verses About Friendship

166 verses on this topic, ordered Genesis to Revelation

The biblical witness to friendship is rich and multifaceted, presenting it as a divine gift that mirrors the relational nature of God Himself. Throughout Scripture, friendship is portrayed not merely as a social convenience but as a covenantal bond rooted in love, loyalty, and mutual edification. It is depicted as a context where individuals bear one another’s burdens, celebrate joys together, and provide honest counsel, reflecting the supportive fellowship that God extends to His people.

In the biblical narrative, true friends are those who embody virtues such as humility, patience, and sacrificial love, often modeling the self‑giving character of Christ. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek companions who will spur them toward spiritual growth, hold them accountable, and walk alongside them in both triumph and trial. This relational ideal underscores that friendship, when grounded in divine principles, becomes a conduit for grace, encouragement, and the shared pursuit of godly wisdom.

All 166 matching verses, ordered from Genesis to Revelation.

"And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite."

Genesis 38:12

"And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not."

Genesis 38:20

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."

Exodus 33:11

"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;"

Deuteronomy 13:6

"But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."

Judges 14:20

"But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man."

2 Samuel 13:3

"So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."

2 Samuel 15:37

"And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king."

2 Samuel 16:16

"And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?"

2 Samuel 16:17

"And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:"

1 Kings 4:5

"Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?"

2 Chronicles 20:7

"To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty."

Job 6:14

"Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend."

Job 6:27

"I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother."

Psalms 35:14

"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."

Psalms 41:9

"Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness."

Psalms 88:18

"My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,"

Proverbs 6:1

"Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend."

Proverbs 6:3

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

Proverbs 17:17

"A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend."

Proverbs 17:18

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24

"Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts."

Proverbs 19:6

"He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend."

Proverbs 22:11

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

Proverbs 27:6

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel."

Proverbs 27:9

"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."

Proverbs 27:10

"He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him."

Proverbs 27:14

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."

Song of Solomon 5:16

"But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend."

Isaiah 41:8

"Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish."

Jeremiah 6:21

"And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them."

Jeremiah 19:9

"Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine."

Hosea 3:1

"Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom."

Micah 7:5

"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."

Matthew 11:19

"But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?"

Matthew 20:13

"And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."

Matthew 22:12

"And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him."

Matthew 26:50

"The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!"

Luke 7:34

"And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;"

Luke 11:5

"For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?"

Luke 11:6

"I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."

Luke 11:8

"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee."

Luke 14:10

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

John 3:29

"These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep."

John 11:11

"And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."

John 19:12

"And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country."

Acts 12:20

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

James 2:23

"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."

James 4:4

"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:"

Proverbs 22:24

"And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour."

Exodus 32:27

"And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her."

Judges 15:2

"Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire."

Judges 15:6

"And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:"

1 Chronicles 27:33

"I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls."

Job 30:29

"I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."

Psalms 119:63

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

Proverbs 13:20

"Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father."

Proverbs 28:7

"Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer."

Proverbs 28:24

"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant."

Malachi 2:14

"Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants."

Philippians 2:25

"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Revelation 1:9

"If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:"

Deuteronomy 21:15

"Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:"

Deuteronomy 21:16

"And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12

"Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin."

Nehemiah 13:26

"That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me."

Psalms 60:5

"That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me."

Psalms 108:6

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

Psalms 127:2

"For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother."

Proverbs 4:3

"A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts."

Song of Solomon 1:13

"My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi."

Song of Solomon 1:14

"Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green."

Song of Solomon 1:16

"As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste."

Song of Solomon 2:3

"The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills."

Song of Solomon 2:8

"My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice."

Song of Solomon 2:9

"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."

Song of Solomon 2:10

"My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies."

Song of Solomon 2:16

"Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether."

Song of Solomon 2:17

"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits."

Song of Solomon 4:16

"I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved."

Song of Solomon 5:1

"I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night."

Song of Solomon 5:2

"My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him."

Song of Solomon 5:4

"I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock."

Song of Solomon 5:5

"I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer."

Song of Solomon 5:6

"I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love."

Song of Solomon 5:8

"What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?"

Song of Solomon 5:9

"My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand."

Song of Solomon 5:10

"Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee."

Song of Solomon 6:1

"My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies."

Song of Solomon 6:2

"I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies."

Song of Solomon 6:3

"And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak."

Song of Solomon 7:9

"I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me."

Song of Solomon 7:10

"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages."

Song of Solomon 7:11

"The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved."

Song of Solomon 7:13

"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee."

Song of Solomon 8:5

"Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices."

Song of Solomon 8:14

"Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:"

Isaiah 5:1

"What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest."

Jeremiah 11:15

"I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies."

Jeremiah 12:7

"At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."

Daniel 9:23

"And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling."

Daniel 10:11

"And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."

Daniel 10:19

"Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb."

Hosea 9:16

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:17

"Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles."

Matthew 12:18

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

Matthew 17:5

"And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Mark 1:11

"And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."

Mark 9:7

"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

Luke 3:22

"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."

Luke 9:35

"Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him."

Luke 20:13

"It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,"

Acts 15:25

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 1:7

"As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved."

Romans 9:25

"As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes."

Romans 11:28

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Romans 12:19

"Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ."

Romans 16:5

"Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord."

Romans 16:8

"Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved."

Romans 16:9

"Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord."

Romans 16:12

"I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you."

1 Corinthians 4:14

"For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church."

1 Corinthians 4:17

"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."

1 Corinthians 10:14

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

2 Corinthians 7:1

"Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying."

2 Corinthians 12:19

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

Ephesians 1:6

"But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:"

Ephesians 6:21

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Philippians 2:12

"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."

Philippians 4:1

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"

Colossians 3:12

"All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:"

Colossians 4:7

"With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here."

Colossians 4:9

"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."

Colossians 4:14

"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

1 Thessalonians 1:4

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"

2 Thessalonians 2:13

"And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."

1 Timothy 6:2

"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."

2 Timothy 1:2

"Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,"

Philemon 1:1

"And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:"

Philemon 1:2

"Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"

Philemon 1:16

"But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."

Hebrews 6:9

"Do not err, my beloved brethren."

James 1:16

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"

James 1:19

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"

James 2:5

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;"

1 Peter 2:11

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

1 Peter 4:12

"For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

2 Peter 1:17

"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:"

2 Peter 3:1

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

2 Peter 3:8

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

2 Peter 3:14

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;"

2 Peter 3:15

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness."

2 Peter 3:17

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

1 John 3:2

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

1 John 3:21

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

1 John 4:1

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

1 John 4:7

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

1 John 4:11

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

3 John 1:2

"Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;"

3 John 1:5

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

3 John 1:11

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Jude 1:3

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

Jude 1:17

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"

Jude 1:20

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

Revelation 20:9

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