Through a land of hardship and distress,^(C)
    of lions^(D) and lionesses,
    of adders and darting snakes,^(E)
the envoys carry their riches on donkeys’^(F) backs,
    their treasures^(G) on the humps of camels,
to that unprofitable nation,

¹¹ “Ephraim is like a dove,^(A)
    easily deceived and senseless—
now calling to Egypt,^(B)
    now turning to Assyria.^(C)