The Preacher's Bible

In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, Jehovah’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ²“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, ³‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing? ⁴Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Jehovah. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Jehovah, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says Jehovah of Armies. ⁵This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ ⁶For this is what Jehovah of Armies says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; ⁷and I will shake all nations. The treasure of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Jehovah of Armies. ⁸The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says Jehovah of Armies. ⁹‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Jehovah of Armies; ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ says Jehovah of Armies.”

¹⁰In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, Jehovah’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ¹¹“Jehovah of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

¹²‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?’” The priests answered, “No.”

¹³Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?” The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”

²⁰Jehovah’s word came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, ²¹“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth. ²²I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. ²³In that day, says Jehovah of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Jehovah, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says Jehovah of Armies.”