Haggai 2:13-23 ▼

13 So Haggai responded, |If someone who is unclean because of contact with a dead body were to touch any of these things, would they become unclean?| The priests responded, |They would be unclean.|

14 Then Haggai answered, |'That's how I look at this people and this nation,' declares the LORD. 'And that's how it is with everything they undertake and with what they offer there—it is unclean.

15 Pay attention from now on to how things used to be before one stone had been laid upon another in the Temple of the LORD.

16 When someone came to a pile of grain to get 20 measures, there were only ten. Or when someone approached the wine press to siphon out 50 measures, there were only 20.

17 I punished you and everything that you undertook —with scorching wind, with mildew, and with hail, and you still did not return to me,' declares the LORD.

18 Pay attention from now on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, when the foundation of the LORD's Temple was laid. Pay attention!

19 Is there seed left in the granary? Up until now, neither the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, nor the olive tree has borne fruit, but from this very day I will bless you.'|

20 This message from the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month:

21 |Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah. Tell him, 'I'm going to shake the heavens and the earth.

22 I will overthrow royal thrones. I will annihilate the strength of national governments. I will overthrow chariots along with those who drive them. Both horses and their riders will fall, each one by means of his comrade's weapon.

23 On that day,' declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will set you in place like a signet ring. For I have chosen you,' declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.|