My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring

我的弟兄诡诈，好像溪水，又像溪水流干的河道。

我的弟兄诡诈，好像河道，像溪水流过的河床，

我的弟兄诡诈，好像河道，像溪水流过的河床，

我的弟兄难以信赖，如同季节河，又像变化无常的河道——

我的兄弟诡诈像干涸的溪流，又像流干的溪水；

我的弟兄詭詐，好像溪水，又像溪水流乾的河道。

我的弟兄詭詐，好像河道，像溪水流過的河床，

我的弟兄詭詐，好像河道，像溪水流過的河床，

我的弟兄難以信賴，如同季節河，又像變化無常的河道——

我的兄弟詭詐像乾涸的溪流，又像流乾的溪水；

我的弟兄浮躁無恆像溪水，像溪水流過的河床。

我昆弟行詐偽、如溪之竭、如澗之涸、

友我不卒、猶泉之忽竭、潦之立涸、

我友友原文作兄弟失誠、如溪之竭水、如澗之流而即涸、

But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow

But my friends have stopped being kind to me. They are like streams that only flow for part of the year. They are like rivers that flow over their banks

My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which drain away,

My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,[ and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;

My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away.

My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.”

My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance.

Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

But the time is coming— indeed it’s here now— when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.

“ I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says,‘ The one who eats my food has turned against me.’

It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them.Instead, it is you— my equal, my companion and close friend.What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.

My close friends detest me. Those I loved have turned against me.

When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

All your lovers— your allies— have left you and do not care about you anymore. I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy. For your sins are many, and your guilt is great.

You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.

Don’t trust anyone— not your best friend or even your wife!For the son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter in law defies her mother in law. Your enemies are right in your own household!

“ Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend.They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.