Haggai 2

The Future Glory of the Temple

1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai, saying,

2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua 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, And how does it look to you now, Does it not seem like anything in comparison,

4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work, because I am with you,’ declares the LORD of armies.

5 ‘This is the promise I made with you when you came out of Egypt, and My Spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid.’”

6 For this is what the LORD of armies says: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.

7 I will shake all nations, and the treasures of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the LORD of armies.

8 “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD of armies.

9 “The later glory of this house will be greater than the former,” says the LORD of armies. “And in this place I will give peace,” declares the LORD of armies.

Blessing for a Defiled People

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai, saying,

11 “This is what the LORD of armies says: Ask the priests about the law.

12 If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and that fold touches bread or stew, wine or oil or any other food, does it become holy,” The priests answered, “No.”

13 Then Haggai said, “If someone defiled by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become defiled,” The priests answered, “Yes, it becomes defiled.”

14 Then Haggai answered, “‘So it is with this people and this nation before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands. What they offer there is defiled.

15 Now think carefully from this day on. Before one stone was placed on another in the temple of the LORD,

16 when anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.

17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew, and hail, yet you did not return to Me,’ declares the LORD.

18 ‘Think carefully from this day on, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid. Think carefully.

19 Is there still seed left in the barn, The vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.’”

The Lord’s Promise to Zerubbabel

20 The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

21 “Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

22 I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers. Horses and riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

23 On that day,’ declares the LORD of armies, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like My signet ring, because I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD of armies.”