12. Is my strength like that of stones?or is my flesh made of bronze?
13. Is not my power to help myself nothing,and has not every resource been driven from me?
14. “To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friendeven if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15. My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream,and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away.
16. They are dark because of ice;snow is piled up over them.
17. When they are scorched, they dry up,when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18. Caravans turn aside from their routes;they go into the wasteland and perish.
19. The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams;the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them.
20. They were distressed, because each one had been so confident;they arrived there, but were disappointed.
21. For now you have become like these streams that are no help;you see a terror, and are afraid.
22. “Have I ever said, ‘Give me something,and from your fortune make gifts in my favor’?
23. Or ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s power,and from the hand of tyrants ransom me’?
24. “Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent;explain to me how I have been mistaken.