^{2 Ref} "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,

^{3 Ref} '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?

^{4 Ref} Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says Yahweh. 'Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' says Yahweh, 'and work, for I am with you,' says Yahweh of Hosts.

^{5 Ref} This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. Don't be afraid.'

^{6 Ref} For this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: 'Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

^{7 Ref} and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Hosts.

^{8 Ref} The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Hosts.

^{9 Ref} 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of Hosts; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says Yahweh of Hosts."

^{10 Ref} In 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 Ref} "Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

^{12 Ref} '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."

^{13 Ref} 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."

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

^{15 Ref} Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the temple of Yahweh.