The movement to rebuild the Temple

1- 1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son f Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as follows, 2 Yahweh Sabaoth says this, 'The people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh. 3 (And the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows:) 4 Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins? O now, Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. 6 You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. 8 So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says Yahweh. 7 Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. 9 The abundance you expected proved to be little. When you brought the harvest in, my breath spoiled it. And why? - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks. Because while my House lies in ruins you are busy with your own, each one of you. 10 That is why the sky has withheld the rain and the earth withheld its yield. 11 I have called down drought on land and hills., on wheat, on new wine, on oil and on all the produce of the ground, on man and beasts and all their labours.'"

12 Now Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all the remnant of the people, paid attention to the voice of Yahweh their God and to the words of the prophet Haggai, Yahweh having sent him to them. And the people were filled with fear before Yahweh. 13 Haggai, the messenger of Yahweh, passed on the message of Yahweh to the people, as follows, "I am with you - it is Yahweh who speaks." 14 And Yahweh roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, high commissioner of Judah, the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and set to work on the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth their God. 15 This was o the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.

The glory that is to come to the Temple

2- 1 In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows, 2 "Yo are to speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high commissioner of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the hig priest, and to all the remnant of the people. Say this, 3 Who is there left among you that saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? Does it seem nothing to you? 4 But take courage now, Zerubbabel - it is Yahweh who speaks. Courage, High Priest Joshua son of Jehozadak! Courage, all you people of the country! - it is Yahweh who speaks. To work! I am with you - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks - 5 and my spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid! 6 For Yahweh Sabaoth says this: A little while now, and I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations and the treasures of all the nations shall flow in, and I will fill tis Temple with glory, says Yahweh Sabaoth. 8 Mine is the silver, mine the gold! - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks. 9 he new glory of this Temple is going to surpass the old, says Yahweh Sabaoth, and in this place I will give peace - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks.'"

The prophet consults the priests

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh was addressed to the prophet Haggai as follows, 11 "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Ask the priests for a decision on this question, 12 If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his gown and with this fold touches bread, broth, wine or food of any kind, does such food become holy?'" The priests answered, "No, it is not." 13 Haggai then said, "If a man made unclean by contact with a corpse touches any of this, does it become unclean?" The priests answered, "Yes it does." 14 Haggai spoke out, "It is the same with this people," he said, "the same with tis nation as I see it - it is Yahweh who speaks - the same with everything they turn their hands to; and what they offer here is unclean.

A promise of agricultural prosperity

15 "Reflect carefully, from today onward. Before one stone had been laid on another in the sanctuary of Yahweh, 16 what state were you in? A man would come to a twenty-measure heap and there wold be ten; he would come to a vat to draw fifty measures and there wold be twenty. 17 I struck with blight and mildew and hail everything you turned your hands to. And still yo would not return to me - it is Yahweh who speaks. 18 Reflect carefully from today onward (from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the sanctuary of Yahweh was laid, think carefully) 19 if grain is still short in the barn, and if vine and fig tree, pomegranate and olive, still bear no fruit. From today onward I intend to bless you."

The promise to Zerubbabel

20 On the twenty-fourth day of the month the word of Yahweh was addressed a second time to Haggai, as follows, 21 "Speak to Zerubbabel, the high commissioner of Judah. Say this, 'I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kings of the nations. I will overthrow the charioteers; horses and their riders will be brought down; they shall fall, each to the sword of his fellow. 23 When the day comes - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks - I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks - and make you like a signet ring. For I have chosen you - it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks.'"