17. I struck you — all the work of your hands — with blight, mildew, and hail, but you didn’t turn to Me” — this is the Lord’s declaration.
18. “Consider carefully from this day forward; from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; consider it carefully.
19. Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.”
20. The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21. “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
22. I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.
23. On that day” — this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts — “I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.