The Builders Encouraged

On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came by (A)Haggai the prophet, saying, “Speak now to (B)Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, (C)governor of Judah, and to (D)Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the (E)remnant of the people, saying, ‘Who is (F)left among you who saw this [a]temple in its (G)former glory? And how do you see it now? [b]Does it not seem to you like nothing [c]in comparison? But now [d](H)take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for (I)I am with you,’ declares the Lord of armies. ‘As for the [e](J)promise which I [f]made you when you came out of Egypt, [g]My (K)Spirit remains in your midst; (L)do not fear!’

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Notas al pie

  1. Haggai 2:3 Lit house
  2. Haggai 2:3 Lit Is it not in your eyes like
  3. Haggai 2:3 Lit like it
  4. Haggai 2:4 Lit be strong
  5. Haggai 2:5 Lit word
  6. Haggai 2:5 Lit cut with
  7. Haggai 2:5 Or while My Spirit was standing

The New Temple’s Diminished Splendor

Then on October 17 of that same year,[a] the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua[b] son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’

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Notas al pie

  1. 2:1 Hebrew on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar. This event (in the second year of Darius’s reign) occurred on October 17, 520 B.c.; also see note on 1:1a.
  2. 2:2 Hebrew Joshua, a variant spelling of Jeshua; also in 2:4.