14 “For the adespairing man lovingkindness should be from his friend;
But he bforsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have abetrayed me like a wadi,
Like the torrents of wadis which pass away,
16 Which grow dark because of ice
And upon which the snow hides itself.
17 When athey become waterless, they are silent;
When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The paths of their course wind along;
They go up into a formless place and perish.
19 The caravans of aTema looked;
The travelers of bSheba hoped for them.
20 They awere ashamed for they had trusted;
They came there and were humiliated.
21 Indeed, you have now become such;
aYou see a terror and are afraid.
22 Have I said, ‘Give me something,’
Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,’
23 Or, ‘Give me escape from the hand of the adversary,’
Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless men’?
24 “Instruct me, and aI will be silent;
And cause me to understand how I have erred.
25 How painful are upright words!
But what does your reproof prove?
26 Do you think to reprove my words,
Or think of the awords of one in despair as wind?
27 You would even acast lots for bthe orphans
And cbargain over your friend.
28 So now be willing to face me,
And see if I alie to your face.
29 Now turn from this, let there be no unrighteousness;
Even turn from this, amy righteousness is yet in it.
30 Is there unrighteousness on my tongue?
Cannot amy palate discern destruction?