[1] In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the Word of
Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying, [2] "Speak now to Zerubbabel,
the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of
Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, [3]
`Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you
see it now? Isn`t it in your eyes as nothing? [4] Yet 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, for
I am with you,` says Yahweh of Hosts. [5] This is the word that I
covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among
you. Don`t be afraid.` [6] For this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: `Yet
once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the
sea, and the dry land; [7] and I will shake all nations. The precious
things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,
says Yahweh of Hosts. [8] The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,` says
Yahweh of Hosts. [9] `The latter glory of this house will be greater than
the former,` says Yahweh of Hosts; `and in this place will I give peace,`
says Yahweh of Hosts." [10] In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in
the second year of Darius, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet,
saying, [11] "Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the
law, saying, [12] `If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment,
and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it
become holy?`" The priests answered, "No." [13] Then Haggai said, "If
one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be
unclean?" The priests answered, "It will be unclean." [14] Then Haggai
answered, "`So is this people, and so is this nation before me,` says
Yahweh; `and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there
is unclean. [15] Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a
stone was laid on a stone in the temple of Yahweh. [16] Through all that
time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When
one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty. [17] I
struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet
you didn`t turn to me,` says Yahweh. [18] `Consider, please, from this day
and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day
that the foundation of Yahweh`s temple was laid, consider it. [19] Is the
seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig-tree, the pomegranate, and the
olive tree haven`t brought forth. From this day will I bless you.`" [20]
The Word of Yahweh came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day
of the month, saying, [21] "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying,
`I will shake the heavens and the earth. [22] I will overthrow the throne
of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I
will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and
their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. [23] In
that day, says Yahweh of Hosts, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant,
the son of Shealtiel,` says Yahweh, `and will make you as a signet, for I
have chosen you,` says Yahweh of Hosts."
