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

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

This took place on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of King Darius’ second year.

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

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

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.’”

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:

‘Think carefully about the past: from today, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, to the day work on the temple of the Lord was resumed, think about it.

You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are never filled. You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their money bags.’”

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.

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.”

Moreover, I have called for a drought that will affect the fields, the hill country, the grain, new wine, fresh olive oil, and everything that grows from the ground; it also will harm people, animals, and everything they produce.’”

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

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

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

Then Haggai responded, “‘The people of this nation are unclean in my sight,’ says the Lord. ‘And so is all their effort; everything they offer is also unclean.

I will overthrow royal thrones and shatter the might of earthly kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and those who ride them, and horses and their riders will fall as people kill one another.