1On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, Yahweh’s message came through the prophet Haggai, saying,
2“Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the rest of the people, asking,
3‘Is there anyone among you who saw this temple in its former glory? How do you see it now? Doesn’t it seem like nothing compared to what it was?’
4But now, be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, because I am with you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.
5‘This was the promise I made to you when you left Egypt, and my Spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid.’
6For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘In a little while, I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land;
7and I will shake all nations. The treasures of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says Yahweh of Armies.
8‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says Yahweh of Armies.
9‘The future glory of this house will be greater than its former glory,’ says Yahweh of Armies. ‘And in this place I will bring peace,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”
10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s message came through the prophet Haggai, saying,
11“Yahweh of Armies says: Ask the priests for their instruction on the law, saying,
12‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his clothing, and then his clothing touches bread, stew, wine, olive oil, or any other food, will that food become holy?’” The priests answered, “No.”
13Then Haggai asked, “If a person who is unclean from touching a dead body touches any of these foods, will those foods become unclean?” The priests answered, “They will be unclean.”
14Then Haggai responded, “‘So it is with these people and this nation before me,’ says Yahweh; ‘and so it is with every work of their hands. Anything they offer there is unclean.
15Now, please think about this, starting from today and looking back, before a single stone was laid on another in Yahweh’s temple.
16Throughout that period, if someone went to a pile of twenty measures of grain, there were only ten. If someone went to the wine press to take out fifty measures, there were only twenty.
17I punished you with plant diseases, mildew, and hail, affecting all your hard work; yet you did not turn back to me, says Yahweh.
18Now, please, think about this, from today and going back to the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day the foundation of Yahweh's temple was laid. Consider it.
19Is there still seed in the barn? No. Has the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree produced fruit? No. But from today on, I will bless you.
20Yahweh’s message came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month. It said,
21“Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I will shake the heavens and the earth.
22I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms. I will destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn the chariots and those who ride in them. Horses and their riders will fall; everyone will be killed by the sword of his brother.
23On that day, says Yahweh of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,” says Yahweh, “and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,” says Yahweh of Armies.