Haggai 2

1 In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the word of YHWH came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

In the seventh month on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of 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,

“Speak to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people. Say,

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?

'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not like nothing in your eyes?

4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says YHWH. 'Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' says YHWH, 'and work, for I am with you,' says YHWH of hosts.

Now, be strong, Zerubbabel!—this is Yahweh's declaration— and be strong, high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak; and be strong, all you people in the land!—this is Yahweh's declaration— and work, for I am with you!—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.

5 This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. 'Do not be afraid.'

This is the covenant that I established with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains with you. Do not fear!

6 For this is what YHWH of hosts says: 'Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;

For Yahweh of hosts says this: In a little while I will once again shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land!

7 and I will shake all nations, and they will come with the treasures of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory, says YHWH of hosts.

I will shake every nation, and every nation will bring their precious things to me, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of hosts.

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says YHWH of hosts.

The silver and gold are mine!—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.

9 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says YHWH of hosts; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says YHWH of hosts."

The glory of this house will be greater in the future than at the beginning, says Yahweh of hosts, and I will give peace in this place!—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.”

10 In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Daryavesh, the word of YHWH came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

11 "Thus says YHWH of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

“Yahweh of hosts says this: Ask the priests concerning the law, and say,

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."

'If a man carries meat that is set apart to Yahweh in the fold of his garment, and the fold touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?'” The priests answered and said, “No.”

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

Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean because of death touches any of these things, do they become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “Yes, they become unclean.”

14 Then Haggai answered, "'So is this people, and so is this nation before me,' says YHWH; 'and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

So Haggai answered and said, “So it is with this people and this nation before me!—this is Yahweh's declaration—and so it is with everything done by their hands. What they offer to me is unclean!

15 Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the temple of YHWH.

So now, think in your minds about the past leading up to this very day. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of Yahweh,

16 Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.

how was it then? When you came to a heap of twenty measures of grain, there were only ten; and when you came to the wine vat to draw out fifty measures, there were only twenty.

17 I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you did not turn to me,' says YHWH.

I afflicted you and all the work of your hands with blight and mildew, but you still did not turn to me—this is Yahweh's declaration.

18 'Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of YHWH's temple was laid, consider it.

Consider from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of Yahweh's temple was laid. Consider it!

19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.'"

Is there still seed in the storehouse? The vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not produced! But from this day will I bless you!”

20 The word of YHWH came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

Then the word of Yahweh came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month and said,

21 "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth.

“Speak to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, and say, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth.

22 I 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.

For I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations! I will overthrow the chariots and their riders; the horses and their riders will fall down, each one because of his brother's sword.

23 In that day, says YHWH of hosts, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says YHWH, 'and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,' says YHWH of hosts."

On that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts—I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, as my servant—this is Yahweh's declaration. I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you! —this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts!'”