24 The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,

But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad;

So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].

5 Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]

Than love that is hidden. [Prov 28:23; Gal 2:14]

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],

But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

10 Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,

And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

20 He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,

But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm. [Is 32:6]

24 Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;

Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,

25 Or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways

And get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,

But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?

4 Wealth makes many friends,

But a poor man is separated from his friend. [Prov 14:20]

13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.14 You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you.15 I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.

12 "This is My commandment, that you *love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us.

16 By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers. 17 But whoever has the *world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him? 18 Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousnessandas conformity to His will," and he was called the friend of God. [Gen 15:6; 2 Chr 20:7; Is 41:8]

10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

9 Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; 10 for if *either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up.

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head,

Coming down on the beard,

Even the beard of Aaron,

Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. [Ex 30:25, 30]

3 It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon

Coming down on the hills of Zion;

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.

63 I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You,

And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.

3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

33 Do not be deceived: *"Bad company corrupts good morals."