1 In the second year of king Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came, by the hand of Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jesus the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying:
2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: This people claims that the time has not yet arrived for building the house of the Lord.
3 But the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, saying:
4 Is it time for you to dwell in paneled houses, while this house is deserted?
5 And now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts upon your ways.