1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet:
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 like nothing to you?
4 Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel” — this is the Lord’s declaration. “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” — the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.