Dross

Impurities removed from molten metal during refining. In a spiritual sense, wicked people whom God removes in judgment, and also impurities in believers which are removed by discipline and trials.

God removes the wicked like dross

Psalm 119:119 See also Isaiah 30:28; Jeremiah 6:28–30; Ezekiel 22:19–22

All the wicked on earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.

Dross as a metaphor for impurity in God's people

Ezekiel 22:18 See also Isaiah 1:21–23; Ezekiel 24:11–13, Ezekiel 36:25; Amos 9:8–10; James 1:21

“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver.

God purges the dross from his people

Isaiah 1:25–26 See also Proverbs 17:3, Proverbs 25:4; Daniel 12:10; Malachi 3:2–3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:7

I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities. I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”

By the blood of Jesus Christ

Zechariah 13:1; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7

By the work of the Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 36:25–27; Matthew 3:11–12 parallel Luke 3:16–17

By testing and affliction

Psalm 66:10–12; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Zechariah 13:9