1
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,
2
"Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: 'This people says, "The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." ' "
3
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4
"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?"
5
Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!
6
"You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."
7
Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!
8
Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the Lord.
9
"You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the Lord of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.