Disappointing Friends

6:14 “To the one in despair, kindness46 should come from his friend47

even if48 he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

6:15 My brothers49 have been as treacherous50 as a seasonal stream,51

and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams52

that flow away.53

6:16 They54 are dark55 because of ice;

snow is piled56 up over them.57

6:17 When they are scorched,58 they dry up,

when it is hot, they vanish59 from their place.

6:18 Caravans60 turn aside from their routes;

they go61 into the wasteland62 and perish.63

6:19 The caravans of Tema64 looked intently65 for these streams;66

the traveling merchants67 of Sheba hoped for them.

6:20 They were distressed,68

because each one had been69 so confident;

they arrived there,70 but were disappointed.

6:21 For now71 you have become like these streams that are no help;72

you see a terror,73 and are afraid.