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¹⁴ ‘Those who withhold^* kindness from a friend
   forsake the fear of the Almighty.^*
15 My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed,
   like freshets that pass away,
¹⁶ that run dark with ice,
   turbid with melting snow.
¹⁷ In time of heat they disappear;
   when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
¹⁸ The caravans turn aside from their course;
   they go up into the waste, and perish.
¹⁹ The caravans of Tema look,
   the travellers of Sheba hope.
²⁰ They are disappointed because they were confident;
   they come there and are confounded.
²¹ Such you have now become to me;^*
   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, “Save me from an opponent’s hand”?
   Or, “Ransom me from the hand of oppressors”?

²⁴ ‘Teach me, and I will be silent;
   make me understand how I have gone wrong.
²⁵ How forceful are honest words!
   But your reproof, what does it reprove?
²⁶ Do you think that you can reprove words,
   as if the speech of the desperate were wind?
²⁷ You would even cast lots over the orphan,
   and bargain over your friend.

²⁸ ‘But now, be pleased to look at me;
   for I will not lie to your face.
²⁹ Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done.
   Turn now, my vindication is at stake.
³⁰ Is there any wrong on my tongue?
   Cannot my taste discern calamity?