Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s word to the people: “I am with you!” says the Lord.

The Lord who rules over all says this: “These people have said, ‘The time for rebuilding the Lord’s temple has not yet come.’”

‘The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times,’ the Lord who rules over all declares, ‘and in this place I will give peace.’”

So the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai as follows:

“Moreover, the Lord who rules over all says: ‘Pay close attention to these things also.

‘The silver and gold will be mine,’ says the Lord who rules over all.

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, along with the whole remnant of the people, obeyed the Lord their God. They responded favorably to the message of the prophet Haggai, who spoke just as the Lord their God had instructed him, and the people began to respect the Lord.

Even so, take heart, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord. ‘Take heart, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you citizens of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and begin to work. For I am with you,’ says the Lord who rules over all.

On that day,’ says the Lord who rules over all, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord who rules over all.”

Here then is what the Lord who rules over all says: ‘Think carefully about what you are doing.

Go up to the hill country and bring back timber to build the temple. Then I will be pleased and honored,’ says the Lord.

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Lord spoke again through the prophet Haggai:

“The Lord who rules over all says, ‘Ask the priests about the law.

Then the Lord spoke again to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month:

So the Lord energized and encouraged Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the whole remnant of the people. They came and worked on the temple of their God, the Lord who rules over all.

I will also shake up all the nations, and they will offer their treasures; then I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord who rules over all.

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of Darius’ second year, the Lord spoke again to the prophet Haggai:

Now therefore reflect carefully on the recent past, before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple.

I struck all the products of your labor with blight, disease, and hail, and yet you brought nothing to me,’ says the Lord.

On the first day of the sixth month of King Darius’ second year, the Lord spoke this message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak: