1. The prophet Haggai spoke the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel and to Joshua. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel was governor of Judah. Joshua son of Jehozadak was high priest. This message came in the second year that Darius was king of Persia. It came on the first day of the sixth month of that year. This was the message:
2. “This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: ‘The people say the right time has not come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.’”
3. Then Haggai the prophet spoke the word of the Lord:
4. “The Temple is still in ruins. Is it right for you to be living in fancy houses?”
5. This is why the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Think about what you have done.
6. You have planted much, but you harvest little. You eat, but you do not become full. You drink, but you are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but you are not warm enough. You earn money, but then you lose it all. It is as if you put it into a purse full of holes.”
7. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Think about what you have done.