Haggai 2

In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,

On a day in the seventh month, the 21st to be exact, God's message arrived through the prophet Haggai, speaking thus:

Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,

Tell Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel and leader of Judah, and Joshua, son of Josedech and the high priest, along with the rest of the people, this message:

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

Who among you still remembers the original splendor of this house? And how do you perceive it now? Doesn't it seem insignificant in comparison?

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Stay strong, Zerubbabel, says the Lord. Stand firm, Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest. And to all the people of the land, remain steadfast, says the Lord, and keep working. For I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts.

According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.

Just as I promised when I led you out of Egypt, my spirit is still with you. So, don't be afraid.

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

The Lord of all declares, "Soon, I will stir up the heavens, earth, sea, and land with a mighty tremor."

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

I, the Lord of all, will stir every nation, and what everyone yearns for will arrive. I promise to fill this place with radiant glory.

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Lord of all declares, "All the silver and gold belong to me."

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

The magnificence of this new home will surpass the old one, promises the Lord Almighty. Here, I will bestow tranquility, assures the Lord Almighty.

In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

On the 24th day of the ninth month, during Darius's second year as king, God spoke through the prophet Haggai, saying,

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

The LORD Almighty says, "Seek guidance from the priests about the law."

If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.

If someone carries sacred items in their clothing and touches food or drink with it, does it become holy? The priests replied, "No."

Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

Haggai asked, "If someone tainted by death touches any of these, will they too become tainted?" The priests confirmed, "Yes, they will be tainted."

Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

Haggai responded, "That is how unclean these people and their nation are before me," declares the Lord, "and so is everything they do. Even their offerings are tainted."

And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:

Please, I beg you, think back to the time before the first stone was placed in the Lord's temple.

Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

In the past, when you expected a pile of twenty measures, you found only ten. When you went to draw out fifty vessels from the winepress, you found only twenty.

I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.

Despite the hardships I sent your way, like destructive storms and diseases, you still didn't seek my guidance, says the Lord.

Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider it.

Reflect from this day forward, from the 24th day of the ninth month, the day when the foundation of God's temple was established. Think about it deeply.

Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

Is there still a seed in the storehouse? Even though the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree haven't yet produced their fruits, from today onwards, I will bless you.

And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,

Once more, on the 24th day of the month, God's message found its way to Haggai, whispering,

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

Tell Zerubbabel, the leader of Judah, I will passionately stir up both the heavens and the earth.

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

I will topple the reign of mighty nations, shattering their power. I will dismantle their war chariots and riders; horses and their masters will fall, each by the hand of their own kin.

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

On that day, declares the Lord Almighty, I will embrace you, my loyal servant Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel. I will make you my seal of approval, for you are my chosen one, says the Lord Almighty.