1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Lord} came by the hand of Haggai {haggai: festival-born}, the prophet, saying.
2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadek, the high priest {hagadol: chief temple official}, and to the remnant {she'erit: surviving community} of the people, saying—
3 Who among you still remains who saw this house in its earlier glory {bikhvodo: fullness of splendor}? And how do you perceive it today? Does it not seem as nothing {keayin: utter emptiness} in your sight?
4 But now, take strength {khazaq: resolute courage}, Zerubbabel, declares the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Sustainer}; take strength, Joshua son of Jehozadek, the high priest; take strength, all the people of the land, declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH tsevaot: Divine Commander}. Do the work, for I am with you, declares the LORD.
5 The word that I {YHWH: Covenant Initiator} covenanted with you at your coming out from Egypt, and My Spirit is standing among you; do not fear {tirau: dread}.
6 For thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: Once more, and it will be in a little while {me'at: Brief Period}, I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land.
7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasured things {chemdat: supreme treasure} of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tzvaot, Commander of Armies}.
8 “The silver {kesef: monetary wealth} is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Universal Commander}.
9 The glory of this latter house will be greater than that of the former, says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}; and in this place I will give peace {shalom: wholeness and harmony}, declares the LORD of hosts.
10 On the twenty-fourth of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD {YHWH, Message Giver} came to Haggai the prophet {navi: spokesperson}, saying,
11 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: “Ask now the priests about the law {torah: divine instruction}, saying,”
12 If a man carries holy flesh {besar-kodesh: sacrificial meat} in the fold of his garment and with that fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy? And the priests {hak-kohanim: temple ministers} answered, “No.”
13 And Haggai said, “If someone unclean by a corpse {tame-nepesh: corpse impurity} touches any of these things, will it become unclean?” And the priests answered and said, “It will become unclean.”
14 And Haggai answered and said, "So this people and this nation are before Me," declares the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Judge}; and so every work {ma'aseh: human labor} of their hands is unclean; and whatever they offer there is unclean.
15 And now, please set your heart {levav: inner intention} from this day and upward, from before a stone was placed upon a stone in the temple of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Dedicator}.
16 Before those days, when someone came to a heap of twenty {esrim: standard allotment}, there were only ten. When someone came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures {pura: pressing container}, there were only twenty.
17 I struck you with blight, with mildew, and with hail on all the work of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me {elay: direct movement toward}, declares the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Discipliner}.
18 Set your heart {levav: inner will} from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, and from the day that the foundation of the temple of the LORD {YHWH, Worship Center} was laid, set your heart.
19 Is the seed in the barn {meggurah: expected provision}? And the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not borne. From this day I {YHWH, Blessing Sovereign} will bless you.
20 And the word of the LORD {YHWH, Message Originator} came a second time to Haggai {haggai: festival messenger} on the twenty-fourth of the month, saying.
21 Say to Zerubbabel, governor {pachat: provincial leader} of Judah, saying, “I {YHWH, Cosmic Shaker} am about to shake the heavens and the earth.”
22 I {YHWH, Divine Judge} will overturn the throne {kise: Seat of Authority} of kingdoms and break the strength {chozek: Enduring Power} of the kingdoms of the nations; I will overturn the chariot and its riders, and the horses and their riders will fall, each man by the sword of his brother.
23 On that day, declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Divine Commander}, I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant {avdi: one commissioned for a purpose}, and I will set you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.