"This is what the LORD of hosts says: These people say, 'The time hasn't yet come, the time for the LORD's house to be built.'"

"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste?

Now therefore this is what the LORD of hosts says: Consider your ways.

You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you do not have enough. You drink, but you aren't filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it."

This is what the LORD of hosts says: "Consider your ways.

"You looked for much, and, behold, 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 lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.

Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD, their God, and the words of Haggai, the prophet, as the LORD, their God, had sent him; and the people feared the LORD.

'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?

This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. 'Do not be afraid.'

For this is what the LORD of hosts says: 'Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says the LORD of hosts.

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."

Then Haggai answered, "'So is this people, and so is this nation before me,' says the LORD; 'and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.'"

In that day, says the LORD of hosts, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the LORD, 'and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,' says the LORD of hosts."