[17] Then the word of the LORD came to me: [18] “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. [19] Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Because you have all become dross, 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. [21] I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. [22] As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the LORD have poured out my wrath on you.’ ” [23] Again the word of the LORD came to me: [24] “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ [25] There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. [26] Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. [27] Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. [28] Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken. [29] The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. [30] “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. [31] So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
