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,

⁹ For they have gone up to Assyria^(A)
    like a wild donkey^(B) wandering alone.
    Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.^(C)

¹⁰ Although they have sold themselves among the nations,
    I will now gather them together.^(A)
They will begin to waste away^(B)
    under the oppression of the mighty king.