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14 “One should be kind to a fainting friend,
    but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.[a]
15 My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook
    that overflows its banks in the spring
16     when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.
17 But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears.
    The brook vanishes in the heat.
18 The caravans turn aside to be refreshed,
    but there is nothing to drink, so they die.
19 The caravans from Tema search for this water;
    the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.
20 They count on it but are disappointed.
    When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.
21 You, too, have given no help.
    You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.
22 But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift?
    Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?
23 Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies,
    or to save me from ruthless people?

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Footnotes

  1. 6:14 Or friend, / or he might lose his fear of the Almighty.

Job Accuses His Friends of Treachery

14 The friend shows gracious love for his friend,
    even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river,
    like torrential rivers that overflow.
16 Filled with waters made cold[a] by ice,
    they are where the snow goes to hide.
17 But then the snow melts, and they disappear;
    when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.[b]
18 Travelers divert[c] in their route;
    they go into a wasteland and die.
19 Travelers from Tema search intently;
    caravans from Sheba hope to find them.
20 For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment;
    even though they have come and searched this far.

21 “And now you’re all just like them, aren’t you?[d]
    You see my terror and are terrified.
22 When did I ever ask you for anything,
    say ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?’
23 or say ‘Deliver me from my enemy’s control,’[e]
    or ‘Redeem me from the domination[f] of ruthless people’?”

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Footnotes

  1. Job 6:16 Lit. dark
  2. Job 6:17 Lit. their place
  3. Job 6:18 Lit. twist
  4. Job 6:21 Lit. it
  5. Job 6:23 Lit. hand
  6. Job 6:23 Lit. hand