Your silver has turned to dross;
Your wine is cut with water.
The debasement of the coinage causes every transaction to be dishonest. Not only is the purchaser stealing with a coin that has been debased, the seller is also compelled to steal as their costs are also increasing as the value of the money goes down. The merchant then reduces the value of their product, literally watering down wine, there by also "stealing" from the buyer.
And cronies of thieves,
Every one avid for presents
And greedy for gifts;
They do not judge the case of the orphan,
And the widow’s cause never reaches them.
This immorality becomes pervasive in the society so even the elites are corrupt and lawlessness overtakes the culture and there is no safety for the most vulnerable.
Of the Sovereign, the LORD of Hosts,
The Mighty One of Israel:
“Ah, I will get satisfaction from My foes;
I will wreak vengeance on My enemies!
God tells the Prophet of his intent to punish those that have transgressed his will.
And smelt out your dross as with lye,-h
And remove all your slag:
The first thing God will do is fix the money.
And your counselors as of yore.
After that you shall be called
City of Righteousness, Faithful City.”
And afterword (my take: once society becomes moral because the money was fixed) the leaders will become righteous again.
Her repentant ones, in the retribution.