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14 “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend;
    even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
    as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice,
    in which the snow hides itself.
17 In the dry season, they vanish.
    When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away.
    They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked.
    The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident.
    They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you are nothing.
    You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, ‘Give to me?’
    or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’
23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’
    or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’

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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.