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 and spread you through the countries. That is how 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, saying:
18 “Human, the people of Israel have become useless like scum to me. They are like the copper, tin, iron, and lead left in the furnace when silver is purified.
19 So this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you have become useless like scum, I am going to put you together inside Jerusalem.
20 People put silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin together inside a furnace to melt them down in a blazing fire. In the same way I will gather you in my hot anger and put you together in Jerusalem and melt you down.