Bible Verses About Choosing Friends

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

"The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them."

"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."

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

What does the Bible say about choosing friends?

The friends we choose profoundly shape our character, decisions, and spiritual walk. The Bible warns against ungodly associations while celebrating the beauty of true, faithful friendship. Key King James Version passages include Proverbs 13:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 27:17. This page collects 10 KJV verses about choosing friends, each quoted in full.

Can Christians be friends with non-Christians?

Yes — Jesus modeled friendship with all people. However, your closest, most influential relationships should be with those who share your faith and values (2 Corinthians 6:14).

What makes a good friend according to the Bible?

A biblical friend is faithful (Proverbs 17:17), honest even when it's hard (Proverbs 27:6), encouraging, and mutually sharpening (Proverbs 27:17).