What does Proverbs 17:17 mean?
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Quick answer
‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity’—true friendship is faithful, especially in hardship.
What it means
Real friendship is not fair-weather; it loves consistently, in good times and bad.
Like family in a crisis, a true friend shows up precisely when trouble comes.
Common questions
What makes a true friend?
Faithful, constant love—especially in adversity. Proverbs 17:17 says real friends and family show up in hard times.
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Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.