1. The prophet Haggai spoke the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. This message came in the second year that Darius was king, on the first day of the sixth month:
2. “This is what the Lord All-Powerful 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. “Is it right for you to be living in fancy houses while the Temple is still in ruins?”
5. This is what the Lord All-Powerful 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 as if you had put it into a purse full of holes.”
7. This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: “Think about what you have done.
8. Go up to the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored,” says the Lord.