On the twenty-first day ... of the seventh month , the word of the LORD came through Haggai - the prophet , saying :
“ Speak ... to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel , governor of Judah , and to Joshua - son of Jehozadak , the high priest , and also to the remnant of the people. Ask them ,
‘ Who is left who saw - this house in its former glory ? How does it look - to you now ? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison ? ’
But now be strong , O Zerubbabel , declares the LORD. Be strong , O Joshua - son of Jehozadak , the high priest. And be strong , all you people of the land , declares the LORD. Work ! For I am with you , declares the LORD of Hosts.
- This is the promise - I made to you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you ; do not be afraid. ”
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says : “ Once more , in a little while , ... I will shake - the heavens - and the earth , - the sea - and the dry land.
I will shake - all the nations , and they will come with all (their) treasures ... ... , and I will fill - this house with glory , says the LORD of Hosts.
The silver (is) and the gold (is) declares the LORD of Hosts.
The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former , says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace , declares the LORD of Hosts. ”
On the twenty-fourth day ... of the ninth (month) , in the second year of Darius , the word of the LORD came to Haggai - the prophet , saying ,
“ This is what the LORD of Hosts says : ‘ Ask ... - the priests for a ruling ....
If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment , and it ... touches bread , ... stew , ... wine , ... oil , ... or any other food , does (that item) become holy ? ’” “ No , ” ... replied the priests.
So Haggai - asked , “ If (one who is) defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these , does it become defiled ? ” “ Yes, it becomes defiled , ” the priests ... answered.
Then Haggai - ... replied , “ So (it is) with this people (and) this nation before Me , declares the LORD , and so (it is) with every work of their hands ; whatever they offer there is defiled ....
Now vvv consider carefully from this day forward : Before one stone was placed on another in the temple of the LORD ,
from that time , (when) one came expecting a heap of twenty (ephahs of grain) , there were (but) ten. When one came to the winepress to draw out fifty (baths) - , there were (but) twenty.
I struck you — - all the work of your hands — with blight , mildew , and hail , - but you did not - turn to Me , declares the LORD.
Consider carefully ... ... from this day forward — from the twenty-fourth ... day of the ninth (month) , the day - the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid — consider carefully ... :
Is there still seed in the barn ? The vine , the fig , the pomegranate , and the olive tree have not yet yielded (fruit). But from this day on , I will bless you. ”
For the second time that day , the twenty-fourth ... day of the month , the word of the LORD came to Haggai - , saying ,
“ Tell ... Zerubbabel governor of Judah (that) I am about to shake - the heavens - and the earth :
I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their riders ; horses and their riders will fall , each by the sword of his brother.
On that day , declares the LORD of Hosts , I will take you , My servant , Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel , declares the LORD , and I will make you like My signet ring , for I have chosen declares the LORD of Hosts. ”