16. what was your experience?When one went to a heap of grain for twenty ephahs,there were only ten;When one went to a vat to draw fifty ephahs,there were only twenty.
17. I struck you, and all the work of your hands,with searing wind, blight, and hail,yet you did not return to me—oracle of the Lord.
18. Reflect from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. From the day on which the temple of the Lord was founded, reflect!
19. Is there still seed in the storehouse?Have the vine, the fig, the pomegranate,and the olive tree still not borne fruit?From this day, I will bless you.
20. The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21. Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah:I will shake the heavens and the earth;
22. I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms,and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations.I will overthrow the chariots and their riders,and the riders with their horseswill fall by each other’s swords.
23. On that day—oracle of the Lord of hosts—I will take you, my servant, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel—oracle of the Lord—and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you—oracle of the Lord of hosts.