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:

Then the man standing among the myrtle trees spoke up and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk about on the earth.”

The Lord then addressed good, comforting words to the angelic messenger who was speaking to me.

“Sing out and be happy, Zion my daughter! For look, I have come; I will settle in your midst,” says the Lord.

The Lord will take possession of Judah as his portion in the holy land and he will choose Jerusalem once again.

Be silent in the Lord’s presence, all people everywhere, for he is being moved to action in his holy dwelling place.

The crown will then be turned over to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.

“‘It then came about that just as I cried out, but they would not obey, so they will cry out, but I will not listen,’ the Lord Lord who rules over all had said.

“The Lord who rules over all says, ‘I am very much concerned for Zion; indeed, I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her.’

But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,’ says the Lord who rules over all,

The Lord who rules over all says, ‘It will someday come to pass that people – residents of many cities – will come.

Again the Lord said to me, “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Then the leaders of Judah will say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are a means of strength to us through their God, the Lord who rules over all.’

Your eyes will see it, and then you will say, ‘May the Lord be magnified even beyond the border of Israel!’”

The offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in former times and years past.

“Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, you, sons of Jacob, have not perished.