1. In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol :
2. “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘This people say the time has not come—the time for the House of Adonai to be rebuilt.’”
3. Then the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet:
4. “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this House lies in ruins?
5. But now,” thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: “Set your heart on your ways!
6. You sowed much but bring in little. You eat but are never satisfied. You drink but not enough to get filled. You put on clothes but no one is warm. And whoever earns wages works for a bag full of holes.”
7. Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: “Set your heart on your ways!
8. Go up to the hills, bring wood and build the House. Then I will delight in it and I will be glorified,” says Adonai.
9. “You have looked for much, but indeed, there is little. What you have brought home, I have blown away. Why is this?”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—“because My House lies in ruins, while you are running, each to his own house.
10. Therefore, because of you, the sky has withheld dew and the earth has withheld its yield.