Encouragement and Promise

2 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month,^(A) the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ² “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people: ³ ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it seem to you like nothing by comparison?^{(B) 4} Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel—this is the Lord’s declaration.^(C) Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land—this is the Lord’s declaration. Work! For I am with you^(D)—the declaration of the Lord of Armies. ⁵ This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt,^(E) and my Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.’”