Thereforethussaysthe LORDof hosts,"Behold,I will refinethem and assaythem; For what[else] can I do,becauseof the daughterof My people?
Then Absalomsaid,"If not, pleaselet my brotherAmnongowith us." And the kingsaidto him, "Whyshould he gowith you?"
The LORD,the Godof their fathers,sent[word] to them againand againby His messengers,becauseHe hadcompassionon His peopleand on His dwellingplace;
Sharparrowsof the warrior,With the [burning] coalsof the broomtree.
Castyour burdenupon the LORDand He will sustainyou; He will neverallowthe righteousto be shaken.
My soul,waitin silencefor Godonly,For my hopeis from Him.
"I will also turnMy handagainstyou, And will smeltaway your drossas with lyeAnd will removeallyour alloy.
"Behold,I have refinedyou, but not as silver;I have testedyou in the furnaceof affliction.
For your handsare defiledwith bloodAnd your fingerswith iniquity;Your lipshave spokenfalsehood,Your tonguemutterswickedness.
"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
"Roamto and frothrough the streetsof Jerusalem,And looknowand takenote.And seekin her opensquares,Ifyou can finda man,Ifthereis one who doesjustice,who seekstruth,Then I will pardonher.
"I have madeyou an assayer[and] a testeramong My people,That you may knowand assaytheir way."
Listento the wordof the LORD,O sonsof Israel,For the LORDhas a caseagainstthe inhabitantsof the land,Becausethereis nofaithfulnessor kindnessOr knowledgeof Godin the land.
"And I will bringthe thirdpartthrough the fire,Refinethem as silveris refined,And testthem as goldis tested.They will callon My name,And I will answerthem; I will say,They are My people,'And they will say,'The LORDis my God.'"
"He will sitas a smelterand purifierof silver,and He will purifythe sonsof Leviand refinethem like goldand silver,so that they may presentto the LORDofferingsin righteousness.
sothat the proofof your faith,[being] more preciousthan goldwhich is perishable,even thoughtestedby fire,may be foundto resultin praiseand gloryand honorat the revelationof JesusChrist;
Beloved,do not be surprisedat the fiery ordealamongyou, which comesupon you for your testing,as thoughsome strange thingwere happeningto you;
