Chapter 2

  In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying,  

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  'Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,  

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  'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn't it in your eyes as nothing?  

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  Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says Yahweh. 'Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' says Yahweh, 'and work, for I am with you,' says Yahweh of Hosts.  

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  This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. Don't be afraid.'  

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  For this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: 'Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;  

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  and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Hosts.  

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  The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Hosts.  

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  'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of Hosts; 'and in this place will I give peace,' says Yahweh of Hosts.'  

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  In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying,  

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  'Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,  

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  'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'' The priests answered, 'No.'  

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  Then Haggai said, 'If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?' The priests answered, 'It will be unclean.'  

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  Then Haggai answered, ''So is this people, and so is this nation before me,' says Yahweh; 'and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.  

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  Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in the temple of Yahweh.  

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  Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.  

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  I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn't turn to me,' says Yahweh.  

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  'Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Yahweh's temple was laid, consider it.  

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  Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig-tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.''  

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  The Word of Yahweh came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,  

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  'Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth.  

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  I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.  

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  In that day, says Yahweh of Hosts, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says Yahweh, 'and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,' says Yahweh of Hosts.'  

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