Haggai 2

1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, Yahweh's word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

2Say now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

3Who among you remains who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn't it as nothing in your eyes compared to it?

4Now be strong, Zerubbabel, says Yahweh. Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest, and be strong, all you people of the land, says Yahweh. Work, for I am with you, says Yahweh of hosts.

5The word I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit stands among you: do not fear.

6For thus says Yahweh of hosts: Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land.

7And I will shake all the nations, and the desire of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of hosts.

8The silver belongs to me, and the gold belongs to me, says Yahweh of hosts.

9The glory of this latter house will surpass the former, says Yahweh of hosts, and in this place I will give peace, says Yahweh of hosts.

10On the twenty-fourth of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Haggai the prophet, saying,

11This is what Yahweh of hosts says: Ask the priests now about the law, saying.

12If a man carries holy flesh 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.

13Haggai said, "If an unclean person touches any of these, will it become unclean?" The priests answered, "It will be unclean."

14Haggai answered and said, "Thus this people, thus this nation before me," declares Yahweh; "thus every work of their hands, and whatever they offer there is unclean."

15Now, please set your hearts from this day backward, before one stone was laid upon another in Yahweh's temple.

16Since those days, when someone came to a twenty-measure heap, it was only ten; when someone came to the wine vat to draw out fifty from the winepress, it was only twenty.

17I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail on every product of your hands, yet you did not return to me, says Yahweh.

18Please consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day Yahweh's temple was founded—consider.

19Is there still seed in the barn? Even the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet borne fruit—from this day I will bless you.

20The word of Yahweh came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth of the month, saying,

21Say to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, I will shake the heavens and the earth.

22I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; I will overthrow chariots and their riders, horses and their riders will come down, every man by his brother's sword.

23On that day, declares Yahweh of hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel my servant, declares Yahweh, and set you as a signet, for I have chosen you, declares Yahweh of hosts.