This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”

You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.

‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?

‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,’ declares the Lord.

Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.’”