The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains with the hot breath of fiery judgment. Then the LORD will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night,
covering the glorious land. It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain.
The Lord will judge Jerusalem, His people. But not so as to destroy them completely, but rather to cleanse them. The judgement of the Lord is not retributive, but remedial. His judgement is like a fire, but a refining fire.
