13. Then Haggai asked, “Suppose someone is defiled because he has touched a dead body. If he then touches any of these foods, will that make them defiled too?”The priests answered, “Yes.”
14. Then Haggai said, “The Lord says that the same thing applies to the people of this nation and to everything they produce; and so everything they offer on the altar is defiled.”
15. The Lord says, “Can't you see what has happened to you? Before you started to rebuild the Temple,
16. you would go to a heap of corn expecting to find 200 kilogrammes, but there would be only a hundred. You would go to draw a hundred litres of wine from a vat, but find only forty.
17. I sent scorching winds and hail to ruin everything you tried to grow, but still you did not repent.
18. Today is the 24th day of the ninth month, the day that the foundation of the Temple has been completed. See what is going to happen from now on.
19. Although there is no corn left, and the grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced, yet from now on I will bless you.”