1. In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day, the word of Yahweh came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,
2. “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘This people says, “The time has not come to rebuild the temple of Yahweh.’ ”
3. And the word of Yahweh came through Haggai the prophet, saying,
4. “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your houses that have been paneled while this house is desolate?”
5. And so then, thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!
6. You have sown much but have harvested little. You have eaten without being satisfied; you have drunk without being satiated; you have worn clothes without being warm; the one who earns wages puts it in a pouch with holes.’
7. Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!
8. Go up the mountain and bring wood and build the house so that I may be pleased with it and honored,’ says Yahweh.
9. ‘You have looked for much, and look! It came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ declares Yahweh of hosts. ‘Because my house is desolate and you are running each to your own house!
10. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its produce.