17. A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
18. "Son of man, the people of Israel have become like scum to me. All of them are like the copper, tin, iron and lead that are left inside a furnace. They are only the scum that is removed from silver."
19. So the Lord and King says, "People of Israel, all of you have become like scum. So I will gather you together in Jerusalem.
20. Men put silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace. They melt it with a blazing fire. In the same way, I will gather you. I will pour out my burning anger on you. I will put you inside the city and melt you.
21. I will gather you together. My burning anger will blaze out at you. And you will be melted inside Jerusalem.
22. Silver is melted in a furnace. And you will be melted inside the city. Then you will know that I have poured out my burning anger on you. I am the Lord."
23. Another message came to me from the Lord. He said,
24. "Son of man, speak to the land. Tell it, 'You have not had any rain or showers. That is because I am angry with you.'
25. "Ezekiel, the princes of the land are like a roaring lion that tears its food apart. They eat people up. They take treasures and other valuable things. They cause many women in the land to become widows.