24. We have heard reports about them. And our hands can't help us. We are suffering greatly. It's like the pain of a woman having a baby.
25. Don't go out to the fields. Don't walk on the roads. Our enemies have swords. And there is terror on every side.
26. Put on black clothes, my people. Roll among the ashes. Cry with bitter sobbing just as you would cry for an only child. The one who is going to destroy us will come suddenly.
27. The Lord says to me, "I have made you like one who tests metals. My people are the ore. I want you to watch them and test the way they live.
28. All of them are used to disobeying me. They go around telling lies about others. They are like bronze mixed with iron. All of them do very sinful things.
29. The fire is made very hot so the lead will burn away. But it is impossible to make those people pure. Those who are evil are not removed.
30. They are like silver that is thrown away. That is because I have not accepted them."