1. In the second year of Dareyawesh the sovereign, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of יהוה came by Ḥaggai the prophet to Zerubbaḇel son of She’alti’ĕl, governor of Yehuḏah, and to Yehoshua son of Yehotsaḏaq, the high priest, saying,
2. “Thus spoke יהוה of hosts, saying, ‘This people have said, “The time has not come, the time the House of יהוה is to be built.” ’ ”
3. Then the word of יהוה came by Ḥaggai the prophet, saying,
4. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, and this House be in ruins?”
5. And now, thus said יהוה of hosts, “Consider your ways!
6. “You have sown much, but brought in little; eat, but do not have enough; drink, but you are not filled with drink; clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
7. Thus said יהוה of hosts, “Consider your ways!
8. Go up to the mountain, and you shall bring wood and build the House. And I will be pleased with it, and let Me be esteemed,” said יהוה.
9. “When you looked for much, then see, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I would blow on it. Why?” declares יהוה of hosts. “Because of My House which lies in ruins, while each of you runs to his own house.