Bible Verses About Friendship (KJV) With a Prayer
Bible verses about friendship from the King James Version, from Proverbs to Jesus calling us friends, with a short reflection and a prayer for your friends.
A Prayer for My Friends
Scripture does not treat friendship as a small thing. A true friend loves at all times, tells the truth gently, and stays close when life turns hard. Most of all, Jesus himself looked at His disciples and called them friends.
Take one verse from this list today and read it slowly. Then think of one friend and ask what that verse might be asking of you: a phone call, an apology, an honest word, or simply showing up.
Lord Jesus, You call me Your friend, and I am grateful beyond words. Thank you for the friends You have placed in my life, for the ones who stayed and for the ones who taught me something by leaving.
Teach me to be the kind of friend I hope to have. Make me loyal when it is inconvenient, honest without being harsh, and quick to forgive. Where a friendship has grown cold, soften both our hearts. Where a friend is hurting, show me what to say, and when to say nothing at all.
Bless each of my friends today. Keep them safe, give them peace, and draw us all closer to You. Amen.
Living These Verses With Your Friends
Several of these verses come from the book of Proverbs, a collection of short sayings about everyday wisdom. They are blunt about what friendship costs and what it gives. Loving at all times (Proverbs 17:17) means staying when it is not easy. Iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17) means a good friend helps you grow, not just feel comfortable.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that we were not made to carry life alone. The story of Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18) shows a bond of real loyalty, and John 15 shows the highest kind of friendship, one that gives itself away.
A simple way to use this page: pick one friend each day this week. Read one verse, pray the prayer above for that person by name, and then reach out in some small way.
Scripture to Pray With
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Proverbs 27:9 (KJV)
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:6 (KJV)
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:1 (KJV)
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (KJV)
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:15 (KJV)
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:10 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about friendship?
The Bible says a true friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17), gives honest counsel (Proverbs 27:9), and helps you up when you fall (Ecclesiastes 4:10). It also warns us to choose companions wisely (Proverbs 13:20).
What is the best Bible verse about friendship?
Many people choose Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Others prefer John 15:13 or Proverbs 18:24. There is no single right answer, so choose the one that speaks to your own friendships.
Did Jesus call us friends?
Yes. In John 15:15 Jesus says to His disciples, "I have called you friends," because He had shared with them all that He heard from the Father.
Who are the best friends in the Bible?
Jonathan and David are the most famous. First Samuel 18:1 says that Jonathan's soul was knit with the soul of David, and that he loved him as his own soul.
What does "iron sharpeneth iron" mean?
Proverbs 27:17 means that friends help each other improve through honest conversation and encouragement, the way one piece of iron sharpens another.
Last updated 2026-10-15