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14 “They say, ‘A person’s friends should be kind to him when he is in trouble,
    even if he stops fearing the Almighty.’
15 But my brothers cannot be counted on.
    They are like streams that do not always flow,
    streams that sometimes run over.
16 They are made dark by melting ice
    and rise with melting snow.
17 But they stop flowing in the dry season;
    they disappear when it is hot.
18 Travelers turn away from their paths
    and go into the desert and die.
19 The groups of travelers from Tema look for water,
    and the traders of Sheba look hopefully.
20 They are upset because they had been sure;
    when they arrive, they are disappointed.
21 You also have been no help.
    You see something terrible, and you are afraid.
22 I have never said, ‘Give me a gift.
    Use your wealth to pay my debt.
23 Save me from the enemy’s power.
    Buy me back from the clutches of cruel people.’

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14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend(A)
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.(B)
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,(C)
    as the streams that overflow
16 when darkened by thawing ice
    and swollen with melting snow,(D)
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
    and in the heat(E) vanish from their channels.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;
    they go off into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema(F) look for water,
    the traveling merchants of Sheba(G) look in hope.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;
    they arrive there, only to be disappointed.(H)
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.(I)
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom(J) for me from your wealth,(K)
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?(L)

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