14 “He who (A)withholds[a] kindness from a (B)friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My (C)brothers are (D)treacherous as a torrent-bed,
    as torrential (E)streams that pass away,
16 which are dark with ice,
    and where the snow hides itself.
17 When they melt, they disappear;
    when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The caravans turn aside from their course;
    they go up into (F)the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of (G)Tema look,
    the travelers of (H)Sheba hope.
20 They are (I)ashamed because they were confident;
    they come there and are (J)disappointed.
21 For you have now become nothing;
    you see my calamity and are afraid.
22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?
    Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?
23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary's hand’?
    Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of (K)the ruthless’?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 6:14 Syriac, Vulgate (compare Targum); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain

He accuses his friends

14 Are friends loyal to the one who despairs,[a]
    or do they stop fearing the Almighty?
15 My companions are treacherous like a stream in the desert,
    like channels that overrun their streambeds,
16     like those darkened by thawing ice,
        in which snow is obscured
17     but that stop flowing in dry times
        and vanish from their channels in heat.
18 Caravans turn aside from their paths;
    they go up into untamed areas and perish.
19 Caravans from Tema look;
    merchants from Sheba hope for it.
20 They are ashamed that they trusted;
    they arrive and are dismayed.
21 That’s what you are like;[b]
    you see something awful and are afraid.

He appeals to his friends

22 Have I said, “Give me something?
    Offer a bribe from your wealth for me?
23     Rescue me from the hand of my enemy?
    Ransom me from the grip of the ruthless?”

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Footnotes

  1. Job 6:14 Heb uncertain
  2. Job 6:21 Heb uncertain