A Call to Rebuild the Temple

(Ezra 5:1–5)

In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak,[fn] the high priest, stating 2 that this is what the LORD of Hosts says:

“These people say,‘The time has not yet come

to rebuild the house of the LORD.’ ”

3 

Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying:

4 

“Is it a time for you yourselves

to live in your paneled houses,

while this house lies in ruins?”

5 

Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says:

“Consider carefully your ways.

6 

You have planted much

but harvested little.

You eat but never have enough.

You drink but never have your fill.

You put on clothes but never get warm

You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”

7 

This is what the LORD of Hosts says:

“Consider carefully your ways.

8 

Go up into the hills,

bring down lumber, and build the house,

so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,

says the LORD.

9 

You expected much,

but behold, it amounted to little.

And what you brought home, I blew away

Why declares the LORD of Hosts.

Because My house [still lies] in ruins,

while each of you is busy

with his own house.

10 

Therefore, on account of you

the heavens have withheld their dew

and the earth has withheld its crops.

11 

I have summoned a drought

on the fields and on the mountains,

on the grain, new wine, and oil,

and on whatever the ground yields,

on man and beast,

and on all the labor of [your] hands.”

12