| Chapter 2 |
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." |