HAGGAI
§ Against those who think only of their own house¤1 °1 In the second year of the reign
of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, a word of Yahweh was directed
to the prophet Haggai for the benefit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,
governor of Judah, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. °2 “So says Yahweh of hosts: This people claim that the time to rebuild the House of Yahweh has not yet come. °3 Well now, hear what I have to say through the prophet Haggai: °4 Is this the time for you to live in your well-built houses while this House is a heap of ruins? °5 Think about your ways: °6 you have sown much but harvested little, you eat and drink but are not satisfied, you clothe yourselves but still feel cold, and the laborer puts the money he earned in a tattered purse. °7 Now think about what you must do: °8 go to the mountain and look for wood to rebuild the House. This will make me happy and I will feel deeply honored, says Yahweh. °9 You expected much but it turned out to be very little. I blew away what you had piled up. Why? Because my House lies in ruins while each of you goes running home. °10 Therefore the heavens have withheld rain, and the earth has not produced anything. °11 I sent drought upon the valley and the hills, upon the wheat and the vines, the oil and whatever the soil produces, upon people and animals, and upon any work of your hands.” °12 Now, when Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, Joshua
the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, °13 and
all the people heard these words of the prophet Haggai whom Yahweh had sent
to speak to them, they paid attention to what Yahweh had told them and the
people were filled with respect for God. °14 Then Haggai, the messenger of Yahweh, passed on to
the people this word of Yahweh, “I am with you.” Then Yahweh moved the heart
of Zerubbabel, Joshua and all the people, and they began rebuilding the House
of Yahweh of hosts, their God. °15
It was the
twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. ¤2 °1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month of the
second year of the reign of Darius, this word of Yahweh was sent through the
prophet Haggai, °2 “Give this message to Zerubbabel, the
governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the high priest, and to all the people: § The glory of the new temple°3 Is there left among you one of those who saw this
house long ago in the time of its glory? What do they think of what they see
now? Is it not a very little thing? °4 But I
say to you, Zerubbabel, Joshua and my people: do not be discouraged. Begin to work, for I am with you, says
Yahweh. °5 Do not be afraid, for my spirit is in
your midst. °6 Thus says Yahweh of hosts, within a short while I
will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the continents. °7 Then I will shake all the nations and bring in the
treasures of the whole world. I will fill this House with glory, says Yahweh.
°8 I will have as much silver and gold as I wish. °9 The renown of this Temple will be greater than
before, and in this place I will give peace,” says Yahweh of hosts. °10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the
second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh was directed again to the prophet
Haggai. °11 He should ask the priests to resolve the
following case in accordance with the Law: °12 “If
someone brings consecrated meat wrapped in his cloak, and the edge of his
cloak touches bread, cooked food, wine, oil, or any other food, will all
these become consecrated food?” They immediately answered, “No.” °13 Haggai went on to say, “But if someone becomes
unclean by having touched a dead body, and then touches any of these things,
will all these become unclean?” This time the priests said, “Yes.” °14 Then Haggai addressed them, “So it is with this
people and this nation before me, says Yahweh, so with everything they do and
all they offer here: all is unclean. °15 Pay attention to this from now on: how was it with
you before the rebuilding of the Temple was begun? °16 You
expected twenty sacks of wheat, but there were only ten. You thought of
drawing out fifty measures of wine but there were only twenty. °17 I spoiled all your work with blight, mildew and
hail. Yet none returned to me, says the Lord. °18 Pay attention, then, from now on, since the first
stone of the Sanctuary of Yahweh was laid. °19 See if
the wheat, the vine, the fig tree and the pomegranate go on yielding little!
From this day on I will bless your olive trees.” § Promises to Zerubbabel°20 The word of Yahweh came again to Haggai on the
twenty-fourth day of the same month, °21 “Say
to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah: °22 I will
overthrow the thrones of the kings and destroy the power of the nations. I
will overturn the chariot and its driver; the horses and their riders shall
tumble down to the ground. They will kill one another. °23 On that day I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant,
the son of Shealtiel, and for me you will be like a ring on my finger with my
initials on it. For I have chosen you, says Yahweh of hosts.” The End. |