⁸ In the second month^(A) of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel^(B) son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak and the rest of the people (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work. They appointed Levites twenty^(C) years old and older to supervise the building of the house of the Lord.

² Then Zerubbabel^(A) son of Shealtiel and Joshua^(B) son of Jozadak set to work^(C) to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

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)

²¹ “Tell Zerubbabel^(A) governor of Judah that I am going to shake^(B) the heavens and the earth.

²³ “‘On that day,^(A)’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant^(B) Zerubbabel^(C) son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring,^(D) for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”