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.
21 Yes, I will gather you, breathe on you with my fiery anger, and melt you in the city.
22 You will be melted in the city like silver that is melted in a furnace. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out my fury on you.”
23 The Lord spoke his word to me. He said,