² Then Joshua^(A) son of Jozadak^(B) and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel^(C) and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses^(D) the man of God.

The Royal Line After the Exile

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 in company with Zerubbabel,^(A) Joshua,^(B) Nehemiah, Seraiah,^(C) Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):

¹¹ Take the silver and gold and make a crown,^(A) and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua^(B) son of Jozadak.^[a](C)

⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:^(A) ‘Not^(B) by might nor by power,^(C) but by my Spirit,’^(D) says the Lord Almighty.

⁷ “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.^(E) Then he will bring out the capstone^(F) to shouts^(G) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation^(H) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.^(I) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me^(J) to you.

¹⁰ “Who dares despise the day^(K) of small things,^(L) since the seven eyes^(M) of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone^[a] in the hand of Zerubbabel?”^(N)

⁸ “‘Listen, High Priest^(A) Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic^(B) of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.^(C)