17 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross(A) to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace.(B) They are but the dross of silver.(C) 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross,(D) 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.(E) 21 I will gather you and I will blow(F) on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her.(G) 22 As silver is melted(H) in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath(I) on you.’”(J)

Read full chapter

The Lord’s Refining Furnace

17 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 18 “Son of man, the people of Israel are the worthless slag that remains after silver is smelted. They are the dross that is left over—a useless mixture of copper, tin, iron, and lead. 19 So tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you are all worthless slag, I will bring you to my crucible in Jerusalem. 20 Just as silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin are melted down in a furnace, I will melt you down in the heat of my fury. 21 I will gather you together and blow the fire of my anger upon you, 22 and you will melt like silver in fierce heat. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out my fury on you.’”

Read full chapter