Haggai 2:1-23, NLT
Haggai 2
The New Temple’s Diminished Splendor
1Then on October 17 of that same year,*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. the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai.
6“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.
Blessings Promised for Obedience
10On December 18*2:10 Hebrew On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar (similarly in 2:18). This event occurred on December 18, 520 b.c.; also see note on 1:1a. of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord sent this message to the prophet Haggai:
The priests replied, “No.”
13Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?”
And the priests answered, “Yes.”
14Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin.
18“Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day*2:18 Or On this eighteenth day of December, think about the day. when the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully.
Promises for Zerubbabel
20On that same day, December 18,*2:20 Hebrew On the twenty-fourth day of the [ninth] month; see note on 2:10. the Lord sent this second message to Haggai:
23“But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”