2:1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, 2 the Lord spoke again through the prophet Haggai: 3 2:2 “Ask the following questions to 4 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, 5 and the remnant of the people: 2:3 ‘Who among you survivors saw the former splendor of this temple? 6 How does it look to you now? Isn’t it nothing by comparison? 2:4 Even so, take heart, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord. ‘Take heart, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and 7 all you citizens of the land,’ 8 says the Lord, ‘and begin to work. For I am with you,’ says the Lord who rules over all. 2:5 ‘Do not fear, because I made a promise to your ancestors when they left Egypt, and my spirit 9 even now testifies to you.’ 10 2:6 Moreover, the Lord who rules over all says: ‘In just a little while 11 I will once again shake the sky 12 and the earth, the sea and the dry ground. 2:7 I will also shake up all the nations, and they 13 will offer their treasures; 14 then I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord who rules over all. 2:8 ‘The silver and gold will be mine,’ says the Lord who rules over all. 2:9 ‘The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times,’ 15 the Lord who rules over all declares, ‘and in this place I will give peace.’” 16
2:10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of Darius’ second year, 17 the Lord spoke again to the prophet Haggai: 18 2:11 “The Lord who rules over all says, ‘Ask the priests about the law. 19 2:12 If someone carries holy meat in a fold of his garment and that fold touches bread, a boiled dish, wine, olive oil, or any other food, will that item become holy?’” 20 The priests answered, “It will not.” 2:13 Then Haggai asked, “If a person who is ritually unclean because of touching a dead body 21 comes in contact with one of these items, will it become unclean?” The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”
2:14 Then Haggai responded, “‘The people of this nation are unclean in my sight,’ 22 says the Lord. ‘And so is all their effort; everything they offer is also unclean. 23 2:15 Now therefore reflect carefully on the recent past, 24 before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple. 25 2:16 From that time 26 when one came expecting a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures from it, there were only twenty. 2:17 I struck all the products of your labor 27 with blight, disease, and hail, and yet you brought nothing to me,’ 28 says the Lord. 2:18 ‘Think carefully about the past: 29 from today, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, 30 to the day work on the temple of the Lord was resumed, 31 think about it. 32 2:19 The seed is still in the storehouse, isn’t it? And the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree have not produced. Nevertheless, from today on I will bless you.’”
2:20 Then the Lord spoke again to Haggai 33 on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 34 2:21 Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah: ‘I am ready 35 to shake the sky 36 and the earth. 2:22 I will overthrow royal thrones and shatter the might of earthly kingdoms. 37 I will overthrow chariots and those who ride them, and horses and their riders will fall as people kill one another. 38 2:23 On that day,’ 39 says the Lord who rules over all, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant,’ 40 says the Lord, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, 41 for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord who rules over all.” 42