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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.

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