A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need. |
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. |
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Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. | No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. |
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! | And if one should fall, his companion will help him up. How pathetic is the man who is alone and falls and has no one to assist him to his feet. |
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | How wonderful and delightful it is for brothers to live together in unity. |
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. | One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who divulges it separates good friends. |
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. | Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. |
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | And where a single man can be overcome, two together will be able to resist. A cord with three strands is not easily broken. |
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. | One who despairs should have the support of his friends even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. |
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. | This is the commandment we have received from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. |
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. | Two are better than one: they earn a far greater reward for their toil. |
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” | Do not let anyone lead you astray. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” |
Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. | Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father, and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you; far better is a friend nearby than a brother who is far away. |
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. | For I am longing to see you so that I may bestow on you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or, rather, so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. |
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. | Adulterers! Do you not know that love of the world results in enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God. |
God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. | He gives a home to those who are forsaken and leads out prisoners amid chants of exultation, while rebels are forced to live in an arid land. |