12. The people in you take money to kill people. You take unfair interest and profits. You make profits by mistreating your neighbor. And you have forgotten me, says the Lord God.
13. “‘So with my fists I will hit you who have stolen money and you who have murdered people.
14. Will you still be brave and strong when I punish you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will act.
15. I will scatter you among the nations. I will spread you through the countries. I will get rid of your uncleanness.
16. But you, yourself, will be dishonored in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
17. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
18. “Human being, the people of Israel have become useless like scum to me. They are like the copper, tin, iron and lead left in the furnace. These are left when silver is purified by melting.
19. So this is what the Lord God says: ‘You have become useless like scum. I am going to gather you into Jerusalem.
20. People gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace. Then they melt it in a blazing fire. In the same way I will gather you in my hot anger. I will put you in Jerusalem and melt you.
21. I will gather you. And I will make you feel the heat of my anger. You will be melted in the fire.
22. Silver is melted in the furnace. In the same way you will be melted in the city. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out my anger against you.’”