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.

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.

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,

But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

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

17 As iron sharpens iron,

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

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad;

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

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad;

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

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.

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.

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].

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]

28 A perverse man spreads strife,

And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9]

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].

13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.

13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.

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.

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

11 For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you; 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

7 Beloved, let us [unselfishly] *love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].

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.

21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.

1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bonded to the soul of David, and *Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took David that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

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

1 And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?"

16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do the same to me [as He has done to you], and more also, if anything but death separates me from you."

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]

14 "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend;

So that he does not *abandon (turn away from) the fear of the Almighty.

4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

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.

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.

12 And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

9 Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor;

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

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.

6 God makes a home for the lonely;

He leads the prisoners into prosperity,

Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land.

19 Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself" [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. [Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39]

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

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