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Haggai 1-2
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Haggai 1-2
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Command to Rebuild the Temple
1 In the second year of Dari′us the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerub′babel the son of She-al′ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jeho′zadak, the high priest, 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes.
7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the Lord. 9 You have looked for much, and lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while you busy yourselves each with his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hills, upon the grain, the new wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and cattle, and upon all their labors.”
12 Then Zerub′babel the son of She-al′ti-el, and Joshua the son of Jeho′zadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared before the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, says the Lord.” 14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerub′babel the son of She-al′ti-el, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jeho′zadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month.
The Future Glory of the Temple
2 In the second year of Dari′us the king, 1 in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 2 “Speak now to Zerub′babel the son of She-al′ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jeho′zadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 4 Yet now take courage, O Zerub′babel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jeho′zadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you; fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.’”
A Rebuke and a Promise
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Dari′us, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests to decide this question, 12 ‘If one carries holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and touches with his skirt bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered, “No.” 13 Then said Haggai, “If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the Lord; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. 15 Pray now, consider what will come to pass from this day onward. Before a stone was placed upon a stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare?[a] When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the winevat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I smote you and all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail; yet you did not return to me, says the Lord. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Do the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still yield nothing? From this day on I will bless you.”
God’s Promise to Zerubbabel
20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerub′babel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders; and the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his fellow. 23 On that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerub′babel my servant, the son of She-al′ti-el, says the Lord, and make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you, says the Lord of hosts.”
Footnotes
- Haggai 2:16 Gk: Heb since they were
Haggai 1-2
New International Version
Haggai 1-2
New International Version
A Call to Build the House of the Lord
1 In the second year of King Darius,(A) on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai(B) to Zerubbabel(C) son of Shealtiel, governor(D) of Judah, and to Joshua(E) son of Jozadak,[a](F) the high priest:(G)
2 This is what the Lord Almighty(H) says: “These people(I) say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.(J)’”
3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:(K) 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses,(L) while this house remains a ruin?(M)”
5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought(N) to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little.(O) You eat, but never have enough.(P) You drink, but never have your fill.(Q) You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages,(R) only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought(S) to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber(T) and build my house, so that I may take pleasure(U) in it and be honored,(V)” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.(W) What you brought home, I blew(X) away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin,(Y) while each of you is busy with your own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld(Z) their dew(AA) and the earth its crops.(AB) 11 I called for a drought(AC) on the fields and the mountains,(AD) on the grain, the new wine,(AE) the olive oil(AF) and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.(AG)”
12 Then Zerubbabel(AH) son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant(AI) of the people obeyed(AJ) 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(AK) the Lord.
13 Then Haggai,(AL) the Lord’s messenger,(AM) gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with(AN) you,” declares the Lord. 14 So the Lord stirred up(AO) the spirit of Zerubbabel(AP) son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak,(AQ) the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant(AR) of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.(AS)
The Promised Glory of the New House
In the second year of King Darius,(AT) 2 1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month,(AU) the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:(AV) 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel(AW) son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak,[b](AX) the high priest, and to the remnant(AY) of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house(AZ) in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?(BA) 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong,(BB) Joshua son of Jozadak,(BC) the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with(BD) you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted(BE) with you when you came out of Egypt.(BF) And my Spirit(BG) remains among you. Do not fear.’(BH)
6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while(BI) I will once more shake the heavens and the earth,(BJ) the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired(BK) by all nations will come, and I will fill this house(BL) with glory,(BM)’ says the Lord Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold(BN) is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 9 ‘The glory(BO) of this present house(BP) will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,(BQ)’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
Blessings for a Defiled People
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month,(BR) in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai: 11 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests(BS) what the law says: 12 If someone carries consecrated meat(BT) in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?(BU)’”
The priests answered, “No.”
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.(BV)”
14 Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people(BW) and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer(BX) there is defiled.
15 “‘Now give careful thought(BY) to this from this day on[c]—consider how things were before one stone was laid(BZ) on another in the Lord’s temple.(CA) 16 When anyone came to a heap(CB) of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat(CC) to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.(CD) 17 I struck all the work of your hands(CE) with blight,(CF) mildew and hail,(CG) yet you did not return(CH) to me,’ declares the Lord.(CI) 18 ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought(CJ) to the day when the foundation(CK) of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: 19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate(CL) and the olive tree have not borne fruit.(CM)
“‘From this day on I will bless(CN) you.’”
Zerubbabel the Lord’s Signet Ring
20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai(CO) a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:(CP) 21 “Tell Zerubbabel(CQ) governor of Judah that I am going to shake(CR) the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn(CS) royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.(CT) I will overthrow chariots(CU) and their drivers; horses and their riders(CV) will fall, each by the sword of his brother.(CW)
23 “‘On that day,(CX)’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant(CY) Zerubbabel(CZ) son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring,(DA) for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
Footnotes
- Haggai 1:1 Hebrew Jehozadak, a variant of Jozadak; also in verses 12 and 14
- Haggai 2:2 Hebrew Jehozadak, a variant of Jozadak; also in verse 4
- Haggai 2:15 Or to the days past
Sirach 49
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Sirach 49
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Josiah and Other Worthies
49 The memory of Josi′ah is like a blending of incense
prepared by the art of the perfumer;
it is sweet as honey to every mouth,
and like music at a banquet of wine.
2 He was led aright in converting the people,
and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3 He set his heart upon the Lord;
in the days of wicked men he strengthened godliness.
4 Except David and Hezeki′ah and Josi′ah
they all sinned greatly,
for they forsook the law of the Most High;
the kings of Judah came to an end;
5 for they gave their power to others,
and their glory to a foreign nation,
6 who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary,
and made her streets desolate,
according to the word[a] of Jeremiah.
7 For they had afflicted him;
yet he had been consecrated in the womb as prophet,
to pluck up and afflict and destroy,
and likewise to build and to plant.
8 It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory
which God[b] showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.
9 For God[c] remembered his enemies with storm,
and did good to those who directed their ways aright.[d]
10 May the bones of the twelve prophets
revive from where they lie,
for they comforted the people of Jacob
and delivered them with confident hope.
11 How shall we magnify Zerub′babel?
He was like a signet on the right hand,
12 and so was Jeshua the son of Jo′zadak;
in their days they built the house
and raised a temple[e] holy to the Lord,
prepared for everlasting glory.
13 The memory of Nehemi′ah also is lasting;
he raised for us the walls that had fallen,
and set up the gates and bars
and rebuilt our ruined houses.
Retrospect
14 No one like Enoch has been created on earth,
for he was taken up from the earth.
15 And no man like Joseph[f] has been born,
and his bones are cared for.
16 Shem and Seth were honored among men,
and Adam above every living being in the creation.
Footnotes
- Sirach 49:6 Gk by the hand
- Sirach 49:8 Gk he
- Sirach 49:9 Gk he
- Sirach 49:9 The text and meaning of this verse are uncertain
- Sirach 49:12 Other authorities read people
- Sirach 49:15 Heb Syr: Greek adds the leader of his brothers, the support of the people
Luke 2:22-52
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Luke 2:22-52
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit[a] he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is set for the fall[b] and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[c] 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature,[d] and in favor with God and man.
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Luke 2:22-52
New International Version
Luke 2:22-52
New International Version
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(A) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]),(B) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b](C)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(D) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(E) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(F) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(G)
you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.(H)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(I)
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”(J)
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(K) “This child is destined to cause the falling(L) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet,(M) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d](N) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(O) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(P)
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(Q) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(R)
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(S) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(T) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(U) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(V) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[e](W) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(X)
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(Y) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(Z) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(AA)
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