16. When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord.” ’
17. Then the word of the Lord came to me:
18. ‘Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver.
19. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem.
20. As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you.
21. I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her.
22. As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.” ’
23. Again the word of the Lord came to me:
24. ‘Son of man, say to the land, “You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.”