14 Will you still be brave? Will you remain strong when I deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.
15 I will scatter you among the nations and force you into other countries. I will put an end to your uncleanness.
16 You will be dishonored in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
17 Then the Lord spoke his word to me. He said,
18 “Son of man, the people of Israel have become worthless to me. All of them are like copper, tin, iron, and lead in a smelting furnace. They are like the impurities left from silver.
19 This is what the Almighty Lord says: All of you have become worthless. That is why I’m going to gather you in Jerusalem.
20 People gather silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin together in a smelting furnace to melt them with a fiery blast. In the same way, in my anger and fury I will gather you and put you in the city. I will melt you there.