"Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

'Who among you [is] left that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it seem like nothing {to you}?

'But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' {declares} Yahweh. 'Take courage, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and take courage, all the people of the land,' {declares} Yahweh. 'Do the work, because I [am] with you,' {declares} Yahweh of hosts,

"Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'Ask now the priests [for] a ruling:

But now, please {consider} from this day forward, before one stone was placed on another in the temple of Yahweh,