16Your merchants have multiplied

until they outnumber the stars.

But like a swarm of locusts,

they strip the land and fly away.

17Your guards^d and officials are also like swarming locusts

that crowd together in the hedges on a cold day.

But like locusts that fly away when the sun comes up,

all of them will fly away and disappear.

18Your shepherds are asleep, O Assyrian king;

your princes lie dead in the dust.

Your people are scattered across the mountains

with no one to gather them together.

19There is no healing for your wound;

your injury is fatal.

All who hear of your destruction

will clap their hands for joy.

Where can anyone be found

who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?