¹⁵ “‘Now give careful thought^(A) to this from this day on^[a]—consider how things were before one stone was laid^(B) on another in the Lord’s temple.^{(C) 16} When anyone came to a heap^(D) of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat^(E) to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.^{(F) 17} I struck all the work of your hands^(G) with blight,^(H) mildew and hail,^(I) yet you did not return^(J) to me,’ declares the Lord.^{(K) 18} ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought^(L) to the day when the foundation^(M) 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^(N) and the olive tree have not borne fruit.^(O)

“‘From this day on I will bless^(P) you.’”

Zerubbabel the Lord’s Signet Ring

²⁰ The word of the Lord came to Haggai^(Q) a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:^{(R) 21} “Tell Zerubbabel^(S) governor of Judah that I am going to shake^(T) the heavens and the earth. ²² I will overturn^(U) royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.^(V) I will overthrow chariots^(W) and their drivers; horses and their riders^(X) will fall, each by the sword of his brother.^(Y)

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