10 

In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, The LORD's word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

11 

"The LORD of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

12 

'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'"The priests answered, "No."

13 

Then Haggai said, "If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?"The priests answered, "It will be unclean."

14 

Then Haggai answered, "'So is this people, and so is this nation before me,' says The LORD; 'and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

15 

Now, please consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid on a stone in The LORD's temple.

16 

Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty, there were only twenty.

17 

I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you didn't turn to me,' says The LORD.

18 

'Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of The LORD's temple was laid, consider it.

19 

Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't produced. From today I will bless you.'"