Chapter 2
1 In the seventh month , in the twenty-first day of the month , Yahweh ’s word 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 Armies .
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 Armies says : ‘ Yet once more , 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 treasure 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 latter glory of this house will be greater than the former ,’ says Yahweh of Armies ; ‘ and in this place I will give peace ,’ says Yahweh of Armies ."
10 In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius , Yahweh ’s word came by Haggai the prophet , saying ,
11 " Yahweh of Armies says : 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 touches 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 Yahweh ’s temple .
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 produced. From today I will bless you .’"
20 Yahweh ’s word 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 Armies , I will take you , Zerubbabel my servant , the son of Shealtiel ,’ says Yahweh , ‘ and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you ,’ says Yahweh of Armies ."