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.’”
23. Again a message came to me from the lord:
24. “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain.
25. Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land.
26. Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them.
27. Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!
28. And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign lord,’ when the lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them.