16. More merchants are in your citythan there are starsin the sky—but they are like locuststhat eat everything,then fly away.
17. Your guards and your officialsare swarms of locusts.On a chilly daythey settle on a fence,but when the sun comes out,they take offto who-knows-where.
18. King of Assyria,your officials and leaderssleep the eternal sleep,while your people are scatteredin the mountains.Yes, your people are sheepwithout a shepherd.
19. You're fatally wounded.There's no hope for you.But everyone clapswhen they hear this news,because your constant crueltyhas caused them pain.