◄ Proverbs 17:17 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

New Living Translation
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

English Standard Version
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Berean Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

King James Bible
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

New King James Version
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

New American Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

NASB 1995
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

NASB 1977
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Legacy Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Amplified Bible
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Christian Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.

American Standard Version
A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

Contemporary English Version
A friend is there to help, in any situation, and relatives are born to share our troubles.

English Revised Version
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.

Good News Translation
Friends always show their love. What are relatives for if not to share trouble?

International Standard Version
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is there for times of trouble.

Majority Standard Bible
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

NET Bible
A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.

New Heart English Bible
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

Webster's Bible Translation
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

World English Bible
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The friend is loving at all times, "" And a brother is born for adversity.

Young's Literal Translation
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.

Smith's Literal Translation
A friend loves in all time, and a brother shall be born for straits.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.

New American Bible
A friend is a friend at all times, and a brother is born for the time of adversity.

New Revised Standard Version
A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A friend loves at all times; but a brother is born for adversity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A friend is loved at all times and a brother is born for trouble.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
…16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.…
Berean Standard Bible · Download


Cross References
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Hebrews 13:1
Continue in brotherly love.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

1 Samuel 18:1-3
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

Job 6:14
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.


Treasury of Scripture

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 19:7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

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Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














Berean Study Bible
A friend
The Hebrew word for "friend" is "רֵעַ" (rea), which implies a companion or associate. In the ancient Near Eastern context, friendships were often covenantal, involving loyalty and mutual support. This word suggests a relationship that goes beyond mere acquaintance, indicating a deep, abiding connection. In the biblical narrative, friendships like that of David and Jonathan exemplify this profound bond, where loyalty and love transcend personal gain.

loves
The Hebrew verb "אָהֵב" (aheb) is used here, denoting a love that is active and ongoing. This love is not conditional or temporary but is steadfast and enduring. In the biblical sense, love is an action, a commitment to seek the well-being of another. This reflects the nature of God's love for humanity, which is unwavering and sacrificial.

at all times
The phrase "at all times" underscores the constancy and reliability of true friendship. In Hebrew, "בְּכָל־עֵת" (bechol-et) suggests an unchanging presence, regardless of circumstances. This constancy is a reflection of divine faithfulness, encouraging believers to emulate such steadfastness in their relationships. It challenges the modern notion of convenience-based friendships, calling for a commitment that mirrors God's eternal faithfulness.

and a brother
The term "brother" in Hebrew is "אָח" (ach), which can refer to a biological sibling or a close kinship bond. In the ancient world, family ties were paramount, often dictating social and economic alliances. This word evokes the idea of a relationship that is both natural and enduring, rooted in shared identity and history. It reminds believers of the spiritual kinship they share with fellow Christians, as members of God's family.

is born
The Hebrew verb "נוֹלַד" (nolad) means "to be born" or "to come into being." This suggests that the role of a brother in times of adversity is not accidental but divinely ordained. It implies purpose and destiny, indicating that God places people in our lives for specific reasons. This understanding encourages believers to view their relationships as part of God's sovereign plan, fostering a sense of gratitude and responsibility.

for adversity
The word "adversity" is translated from the Hebrew "צָרָה" (tsarah), meaning distress or trouble. In the biblical context, adversity is often seen as a test of character and faith. This phrase highlights the role of a brother as a source of support and strength during difficult times. It serves as a reminder that God provides community and fellowship to help believers endure trials, reflecting the communal nature of the Christian faith.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(17) A friend loveth at all times . . .--Rather, The (true) friend loveth at all times, and (as) a brother is born for adversity.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 17. - A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Some find a climax in the two clauses, and translate the last as Revised Version margin, "And is born as a brother for adversity," the same person being meant in both members of the sentence. A real friend loves his friend in prosperity and adversity; yea, he is more than a friend in time of need - he is a brother, as affectionate and as trusty as one connected by the closest ties of relationship (comp. Proverbs 18:24). Siracides gives a very cruel version of this proverb, "A friend cannot be known in prosperity; and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved; but in his adversity even a friend will depart" (Ecclus. 12:8, etc.). Cicero had a truer notion of the stability of friendship when he quoted Ennius's dictum, "Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur" ('De Amicit.,' 17.). Misfortune, says our maxim, is the touchstone of friendship; and one Greek gnome enjoins -

Ἰδίας νόμιζε τῶν φίλων τὰς συμφοράς

"Thy friend's misfortunes deem to be thine own;"

while another runs - . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A friend
הָרֵ֑עַ (hā·rê·a‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

loves
אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

at all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

times,
עֵ֭ת (‘êṯ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

and a brother
וְאָ֥ח (wə·’āḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

is born
יִוָּלֵֽד׃ (yiw·wā·lêḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

for adversity.
לְ֝צָרָ֗ה (lə·ṣā·rāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:16
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