Haggai

In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, a word of the Lord 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.

First Oracle

“So says the Lord of hosts: This people claim that the time to rebuild the house of the Lord has not yet come.

Well, now, hear what I have to say through the prophet Haggai:

Is this the time for you to live in your well-built houses while this house is a heap of ruins?

Now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Think about your ways:

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.

Now think about what you must do:

Go to the mountain and look for wood to rebuild the house. This will make me happy, and I will feel deeply honored, says the Lord.

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.

Therefore, the heavens have withheld rain, and the earth has not produced anything.

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.”

Now, when Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest,

and all the people heard these words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord had sent to speak to them, they paid attention to what the Lord had told them; and the people were filled with respect for God.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, conveyed this message to the people: “I am with you.” Afterward, the Lord stirred the hearts of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people, and they began rebuilding the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.

It was the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.