7  For they sow the wind,

and they shall reap the whirlwind.

The standing grain has no heads;

it shall yield no flour;

if it were to yield,

strangers would devour it.

8  Israel is swallowed up;

already they are among the nations

^eas a useless vessel.

9  For they have ^fgone up to Assyria,

a ^gwild donkey wandering alone;

Ephraim has hired ^hlovers.

10  Though they hire allies among the nations,

I will soon gather them up.

And the king and princes shall soon writhe

because of the tribute.