Jeremiah 6:27-30

Expanded Bible

²⁷ “I have made you [^CJeremiah] like a ·worker who tests metal [^Ltester and refiner/or fortress] among people [^Cwho are like the ore].
You must ·observe [know] their ways
    and test them.
²⁸ All my people have ·turned [rebelled] against me and are stubborn.
    They go around ·telling lies about others [slandering].
They are like bronze and iron [^Crusted, not refined]
    that act dishonestly.
²⁹ The ·fire is fanned to make it hotter [bellows blow],
    but the lead ·does not melt [is consumed by the fire].
·The pure metal does not come out [^LThe refining is in vain];
    the evil is not removed from my people.
³⁰ My people will be called rejected silver,
    because the Lord has rejected them [Ezek. 22:17–22].”