15
But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
as the streams that overflow
16
when darkened by thawing ice
and swollen with melting snow,
17
but that cease to flow in the dry season,
and in the heat vanish from their channels.
18
Caravans turn aside from their routes;
they go up into the wasteland and perish.
19
The caravans of Tema look for water,
the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.
20
They are distressed, because they had been confident;
they arrive there, only to be disappointed.