1. On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:
2. Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people has said: “Now is not the time to rebuild the house of the Lord.”
3. Then the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet:
4. Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?
5. Now thus says the Lord of hosts:Reflect on your experience!
6. You have sown much, but have brought in little;you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;You have drunk, but have not become intoxicated;you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed;And the hired worker labors for a bag full of holes.
7. Thus says the Lord of hosts:Reflect on your experience!
8. Go up into the hill country;bring timber, and build the housethat I may be pleased with it,and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
9. You expected much, but it came to little;and what you brought home, I blew away.Why is this?—oracle of the Lord of hosts—Because my house is the one which lies in ruins,while each of you runs to your own house.