| New Living Translation | NET Bible |
| 1On August 29 of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the LORD gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. | 1On the first day of the sixth month of King Darius' second year, the LORD spoke this message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak: |
| 2“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” | 2The LORD who rules over all says this: "These people have said, 'The time for rebuilding the LORD's temple has not yet come.'" |
| 3Then the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: | 3So the LORD spoke through the prophet Haggai as follows: |
| 4“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? | 4"Is it right for you to live in richly paneled houses while my temple is in ruins? |
| 5This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! | 5Here then is what the LORD who rules over all says: 'Think carefully about what you are doing. |
| 6You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! | 6You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are never filled. You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their money bags.'" |
| 7“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! | 7"Moreover, the LORD who rules over all says: 'Pay close attention to these things also. |
| 8Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD. | 8Go up to the hill country and bring back timber to build the temple. Then I will be pleased and honored,' says the LORD. |
| 9You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. | 9You expected a large harvest, but instead there was little, and when you brought it home it disappeared right away. Why?' asks the LORD who rules over all. 'Because my temple remains in ruins, thanks to each of you favoring his own house! |
| 10It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. | 10This is why the sky has held back its dew and the earth its produce. |
| 11I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.” Obedience to God’s Call | 11Moreover, I have called for a drought that will affect the fields, the hill country, the grain, new wine, fresh olive oil, and everything that grows from the ground; it also will harm people, animals, and everything they produce.'" |
| 12Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the LORD their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the LORD their God had sent, the people feared the LORD. | 12Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, along with the whole remnant of the people, obeyed the LORD their God. They responded favorably to the message of the prophet Haggai, who spoke just as the LORD their God had instructed him, and the people began to respect the LORD. |
| 13Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: “I am with you, says the LORD!” | 13Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, spoke the LORD's word to the people: "I am with you!" says the LORD. |
| 14So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, | 14So the LORD energized and encouraged Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the whole remnant of the people. They came and worked on the temple of their God, the LORD who rules over all. |
| 15on September 21 of the second year of King Darius’s reign. | 15This took place on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of King Darius' second year. |
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