A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. |
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
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Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. | There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. |
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. | If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. |
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! | How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! |
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. | Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. |
Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. | Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. |
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. | One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty. |
This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. | And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. |
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. | Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. |
Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” | Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” |
Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother. | Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. |
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. | For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. |
You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. | You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. |
God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land. | God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. |