Haggai 2
1on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of GOD came through the prophet Haggai:
2Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the rest of the people:
3Who is there left among you who saw this House in its former splendor? How does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing to you.
4But be strong, O Zerubbabel—says GOD—be strong, O high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak; be strong, all you people of the land—says GOD—and act! For I am with you—says GOD of Hosts.
5So I promised you when you came out of Egypt, and My spirit is still in your midst. Fear not!
6For thus said GOD of Hosts: In just a little while longer I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land;
7I will shake all the nations. And the precious things of all the nations shall come [here], and I will fill this House with glory, said GOD of Hosts.
8Silver is Mine and gold is Mine—says GOD of Hosts.
9The glory of this latter House shall be greater than that of the former one, said GOD of Hosts; and in this place I will grant prosperity—declares GOD of Hosts.
10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth [month], in the second year of Darius, the word of GOD came to the prophet Haggai:
11Thus said GOD of Hosts: Seek a ruling from the priests, as follows:
12If someone is carrying sacrificial flesh in a fold of their garment, and with that fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, will the latter become holy? In reply, the priests said, “No.”
13Haggai went on, “If someone defiled by a corpse touches any of these, will it be defiled?” And the priests responded, “Yes.”
14Thereupon Haggai said: That is how this people and that is how this nation looks to Me—declares GOD—and so, too, the work of their hands: Whatever they offer there is defiled.
15And now take thought, from this day backward: As long as no stone had been laid on another in the House of GOD,
16if one came to a heap of twenty measures, it would yield only ten; and if one came to a wine vat to skim off fifty measures, the press would yield only twenty.
17I struck you—all the works of your hands—with blight and mildew and hail, but you did not return to Me—declares GOD.
18Take note, from this day forward—from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day when the foundation was laid for GOD’s Temple—take note
19while the seed is still in the granary, and the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree have not yet borne fruit. For from this day on I will send blessings.
20And the word of GOD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21Speak to Zerubbabel the governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
22And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the might of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their drivers. Horses and their riders shall fall, each by the sword of his fellow.
23On that day—declares GOD of Hosts—I will take you, O My servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel—declares GOD—and make you as a signet; for I have chosen you—declares GOD of Hosts.