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 who has friends must himself be friendly, 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, than to lay down one’s 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 companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help 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 how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! | How wonderful and delightful it is for brothers to live together in unity. |
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates 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 of God; and everyone who loves is 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. |
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And 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 perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor. |
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he 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: that he who loves God must love his brother also. | 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 labor. | Two are better than one: they earn a far greater reward for their toil. |
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” | Do not let anyone lead you astray. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” |
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother 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, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. | 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. |
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants 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 sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry 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. |