1. On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Lord spoke again through the prophet Haggai:
2. “Ask the following questions to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the remnant of the people:
3. ‘Who among you survivors saw the former splendor of this temple? How does it look to you now? Isn’t it nothing by comparison?
4. Even so, take heart, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord. ‘Take heart, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you citizens of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and begin to work. For I am with you,’ says the Lord who rules over all.
5. ‘Do not fear, because I made a promise to your ancestors when they left Egypt, and my spirit even now testifies to you.’