Haggai 1:2-9 ▼

2 |This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'These people keep saying, |No, the right time for rebuilding the LORD's Temple has not yet come.|'|

3 Then this message from the LORD came by Haggai the prophet:

4 |Is it the right time for all of you to live in your own paneled houses while this house remains in ruins?|

5 |Now this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, says: 'Carefully consider your ways:

6 You have sowed much but have reaped little. You have eaten but don't have enough to become satisfied. You have drunk but don't have enough to become intoxicated. You have clothed yourself but don't have enough to keep warm. And the hired laborer deposits his salary in a bag full of holes!'|

7 |This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'Carefully consider your ways:

8 Go up into the mountains, bring timber, and reconstruct my house. Then I will be pleased with it and I will be honored,' says the LORD.

9 You turned away in pursuit of abundance, but look at how little you found! What you did manage to bring home, I blew away! And why?' declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies. 'It's because of my house! It lies in ruins while each of you runs off to his own house!