Greater Glory in the New Temple
1 On the 21st day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through 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? In comparison, is it not, in your eyes, like nothing?’
4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD.
‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD.
‘Work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of Hosts.
5 This is the word that I covenanted with you
when you came out of Egypt.
My Spirit lives among you.
Do not be afraid.”
6 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says:
“Once again, in a little while,
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 the LORD of Hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
says the LORD of Hosts.
9 The latter glory of this house
will be greater than the former,
says the LORD of Hosts,
and in this place I will give peace,
says the LORD of Hosts.”
Blessing for a Defiled People
10 On the 24th day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 11 “The LORD of Hosts says: ‘Now ask the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and the fold touches the bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?’ ”
The priests answered, “No.”
13 Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touching any of these, will it be unclean?”
The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”
14 Then Haggai answered, “So it is with this people, and so it is with this nation before me, says the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean. 15 Now, please consider from this day and before it, before one stone was laid on another in the temple of the LORD. 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 did not turn to me, declares the LORD.
18 Consider, please, from this day and before it, from the 24th day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid, consider it. 19 Is there any seed still in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not produced. From this day, I will bless you.”
Zerubbabel the LORD’s Signet Ring
20 The word of the LORD came the second time to Haggai on the 24th day of the month, saying, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, that I will shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow thrones 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 On that day, says the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and will make you like a signet, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.”