Haggai 1:2-9

Easy-to-Read Version

² This is what the Lord All-Powerful said, “The people say it is not yet the right time to build the Lord’s Temple.”

³ Again Haggai received a message from the Lord. Haggai spoke this message: ⁴ “You people think the right time has come for you to live in nice houses. You live in houses with beautiful wooden paneling on the walls, but the Lord’s house is still in ruins. ⁵ Now the Lord All-Powerful says, ‘Think about what is happening. ⁶ You have planted many seeds, but you have gathered only a few crops. You have food to eat, but not enough to get full. You have something to drink, but not enough to get drunk. You have some clothes to wear, but not enough to keep warm. You earn a little money, but you don’t know where it all goes. It’s as though there is a hole in your pocket!’^[a]”

⁷ The Lord All-Powerful said, “Think about what you are doing. ⁸ Go up to the mountains, get the wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with the Temple, and I will be honored.” This is what the Lord said.

⁹ The Lord All-Powerful said, “You people look for a big harvest, but when you go to gather the crop, there is only a little grain. So you bring that grain home, and then I send a wind that blows it all away. Why is this happening? Because my house is still in ruins while each of you runs home to take care of your own house.