14 Will you still be brave and strong when I punish you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will act.
15 I will scatter you among the nations. I will spread you through the countries. I will get rid of your uncleanness.
16 But you, yourself, will be dishonored in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
17 The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
18 “Human being, the people of Israel have become useless like scum to me. They are like the copper, tin, iron and lead left in the furnace. These are left when silver is purified by melting.
19 So this is what the Lord God says: ‘You have become useless like scum. I am going to gather you into Jerusalem.
20 People gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace. Then they melt it in a blazing fire. In the same way I will gather you in my hot anger. I will put you in Jerusalem and melt you.