16. You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”
17. The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
18. “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver.
19. Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20. As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you.
21. Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst.
22. As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’ ”
23. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
24. “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’
25. The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.
26. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.