26. The Lord says to his people, “Put on sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter tears as you would for an only son, because the one who comes to destroy you will suddenly attack.
27. Jeremiah, test my people, as you would test metal, and find out what they are like.
28. They are all stubborn rebels, hard as bronze and iron. They are all corrupt, going round and spreading gossip.
29. The furnace burns fiercely, but the waste metals do not melt and run off. It is useless to go on refining my people, because those who are evil are not taken away.
30. They will be called worthless dross, because I, the Lord, have rejected them.”