Jeremiah 6:29
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
The bellows are burned out and the lead is consumed by the fire, yet the founder's melting is in vain because the wicked are not plucked away and the dross remains in the people. The refining has spent its force without separating wickedness from them, so every effort to purify them comes to nothing. The verse stands in chapters 2 to 11, the prophecies written by Baruch at Jeremiah's dictation after Jehoiakim burned the first roll.
Like the rest of the book it abounds in striking symbols and signs and figures of speech. Its meaning as an awful denunciation against sin stands out very clearly indeed and needs nothing added to explain it. It expresses sorrow of heart over the people's transgression and a most touching appeal to return to God. That appeal was met with utter lack of response on the part of the mass of the people. Its warnings and appeals, with assurances of the heavenly Father's kindness and everlasting love, are peculiarly applicable to the present day.