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35 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Bible Verses About Relationships

What does the Bible say about relationships?

The Bible says good relationships are built on the kind of love God gives: patient, kind and forgiving (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:13). God made us for companionship (Genesis 2:18), praises the friend who loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17), and asks us to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

  1. Love that holds relationships together
  2. Good friends
  3. Dating, marriage and choosing well

Bible verses about relationships: Love that holds relationships together

The verses every relationship needs, whether friend, family or spouse.

7 verses

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

KJV
King James Version

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

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. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

1 Peter 4:8

KJV
King James Version

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Peter 4:8

Colossians 3:14

KJV
King James Version

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Colossians 3:14

Ephesians 4:2-3

KJV
King James Version

2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 4:2-3

John 13:34-35

KJV
King James Version

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about John 13:34-35

Romans 12:10

KJV
King James Version

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:10

Philippians 2:3-4

KJV
King James Version

3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Philippians 2:3-4

Bible verses about relationships: Good friends

Choose friends well and be a faithful one.

6 verses

Proverbs 17:17

KJV
King James Version

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

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

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

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Proverbs 27:17

KJV
King James Version

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

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

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Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

KJV
King James Version

9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For 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. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

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! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

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John 15:13

KJV
King James Version

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

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Proverbs 18:24

KJV
King James Version

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

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

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Proverbs 13:20

KJV
King James Version

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

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

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Bible verses about relationships: Dating, marriage and choosing well

God's design for husband and wife, and for the choice that leads there.

9 verses

Genesis 2:18

KJV
King James Version

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”

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Genesis 2:24

KJV
King James Version

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

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2 Corinthians 6:14

KJV
King James Version

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

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

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Proverbs 18:22

KJV
King James Version

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

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Ephesians 5:25

KJV
King James Version

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

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Ephesians 5:33

KJV
King James Version

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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Colossians 3:18-19

KJV
King James Version

18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

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1 Peter 3:7

KJV
King James Version

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

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Hebrews 13:4

KJV
King James Version

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

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Bible verses about relationships: When relationships are hard — words, conflict and forgiveness

How to speak, listen and make peace.

7 verses

Colossians 3:13

KJV
King James Version

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

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

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Matthew 18:15

KJV
King James Version

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

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Romans 12:18

KJV
King James Version

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

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Proverbs 15:1

KJV
King James Version

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

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James 1:19

KJV
King James Version

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

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Ephesians 4:29

KJV
King James Version

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

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Ephesians 4:26

KJV
King James Version

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,

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Bible verses about relationships: God first, then family and neighbor

Love for God shapes every other relationship.

6 verses

Matthew 22:37-39

KJV
King James Version

37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

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Matthew 7:12

KJV
King James Version

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 7:12

Exodus 20:12

KJV
King James Version

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

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Ephesians 6:4

KJV
King James Version

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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1 Thessalonians 5:11

KJV
King James Version

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

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Hebrews 10:24-25

KJV
King James Version

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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Short Bible verses about relationships

Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.

8 verses

  • “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

    Colossians 3:14 KJV · 14 words

    Listen

  • “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

    Romans 12:10 KJV · 14 words

    Listen

  • “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

    Proverbs 17:17 KJV · 13 words

    Listen

  • “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

    Proverbs 27:17 KJV · 12 words

    Listen

  • “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

    Proverbs 18:22 KJV · 14 words

    Listen

  • “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

    Romans 12:18 KJV · 15 words

    Listen

  • “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

    Proverbs 15:1 KJV · 12 words

    Listen

  • “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

    1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV · 13 words

    Listen

What the first Christians said about relationships

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“What a yoke that is, of two believers sharing one hope, one desire, one discipline, and one and the same service.”

TertullianTo His Wife
Read and listen to Tertullian

“They honor father and mother, and they show kindness to those near them.”

Aristides of AthensApology
Read and listen to Aristides of Athens

The Greek and Hebrew words for relationships

The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.

Questions people ask about relationships in the Bible

What is the best Bible verse for relationships?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is the passage most chosen, because it describes love that is patient, kind, not proud and never giving up. 1 Peter 4:8 is a short favorite: above all, love one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Listen: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 · 1 Peter 4:8

What does the Bible say about relationships before marriage?

The Bible does not talk about dating, but it gives clear guidance: honor marriage and keep sex for marriage, flee sexual sin, and seek a partner who shares your faith in the Lord.

Listen: Hebrews 13:4 · 1 Corinthians 6:18 · 1 Corinthians 7:39

What does it mean to be unequally yoked?

In 2 Corinthians 6:14 Paul uses the picture of two animals pulling under one yoke. A believer should not be bound in a close partnership with someone who does not share faith in Christ. Most teachers apply it first to marriage.

Listen: 2 Corinthians 6:14

What does the Bible say about fixing a broken relationship?

Go to the person privately and talk it through, make peace before you bring your gift to God, and forgive as the Lord forgave you. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Listen: Matthew 18:15 · Matthew 5:23-24 · Romans 12:18

What does the Bible say about friendship?

A true friend loves at all times and is there in hard days. Friends sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron, and Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends.

Listen: Proverbs 17:17 · Proverbs 27:17 · John 15:13