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.’”
23. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
24. “Human being, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not had rain or showers in a day of anger.’
25. Israel’s rulers make evil plans. They are like a roaring lion that tears the animal it has caught. They have destroyed lives. They have taken treasure and valuable things. They have caused many women to become widows.
26. Israel’s priests do cruel things to my teachings. They do not honor my holy things. They make no difference between holy and unholy things. They teach there is no difference between clean and unclean things. They do not remember my Sabbaths. So I am dishonored by them.
27. Jerusalem’s leaders are like wolves tearing a dead animal. They have killed people for profit.
28. And the prophets try to cover this up by false visions and by lying. They say, ‘This is what the Lord God says’ when the Lord has not spoken.
29. The people cheat others. They steal. They hurt people who are poor and needy. They cheat foreigners and don’t treat them fairly.