¹⁴ I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean,^(A) nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God; I have done everything you commanded me.

¹³ Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.^(A)”

¹⁴ Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people^(B) and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer^(C) there is defiled.

⁴ For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince,^(A) without sacrifice^(B) or sacred stones,^(C) without ephod^(D) or household gods.^(E)

¹⁷ Groan quietly;^(A) do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban^(B) fastened and your sandals^(C) on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard^(D) or eat the customary food of mourners.^(E)”

⁵¹ I am the living bread^(A) that came down from heaven.^(B) Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”^(C)

¹³ Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears.^(A) You weep and wail^(B) because he no longer looks with favor^(C) on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.^(D)