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Giovedi, 28 marzo 2024 - San Castore di Tarso ( Letture di oggi)

Haggai 2


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1on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophetHaggai, as follows,2'You are to speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak thehigh priest and to the remnant of the people. Say this,3"Is there anyone left among you who saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to younow? Does it not seem as though there is nothing there?4But take courage now, Zerubbabel!-Yahweh declares. Courage, Joshua son of Jehozadak high priest!Courage, al you people of the country!-Yahweh declares. To work! I am with you -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares-5and my spirit is present among you. Do not be afraid!6For Yahweh Sabaoth says this: A little while now, and I shal shake the heavens and the earth, the seaand the dry land.7I shal shake al the nations, and the treasures of al the nations will flow in, and I shal fil this Templewith glory, says Yahweh Sabaoth.8Mine is the silver, mine the gold!-Yahweh Sabaoth declares.9The glory of this new Temple wil surpass that of the old, says Yahweh Sabaoth, and in this place I shalgive peace -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares." '10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh wasaddressed to the prophet Haggai as fol ows,11'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Ask the priests to give a ruling on this:12If someone is carrying consecrated meat in the fold of his gown and al ows the fold to touch bread,broth, wine, oil or food of any kind, wil that become holy?" ' The priests replied, 'No.'13Haggai then said, 'If anyone rendered unclean by contact with a corpse touches any of these things,wil that become unclean?' The priests replied, 'It wil become unclean.'14Haggai then spoke out. 'It is the same with this people,' he said, 'the same with this nation, in my view-- Yahweh declares -- the same with everything they turn their hands to; and whatever they offer here is unclean.15'So now think carefully, today and henceforth: before one stone had been laid on another in thesanctuary of Yahweh,16what state were you in? You would come to a twenty-measure heap and find only ten; you wouldcome to a vat to draw fifty measures and find only twenty.17Everything you turned your hands to, I struck with wind-blast, mildew and hail, and stil you would notreturn to me -- Yahweh declares.18So think careful y, today and henceforth (from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the daythe foundation of the sanctuary of Yahweh was laid, think careful y)19if seed-corn is stil short in the barn, and if vine and fig tree, pomegranate and olive tree still bear nofruit. 'From today onwards I intend to bless you.'20On the twenty-fourth day of the month the word of Yahweh was addressed a second time to Haggai,as fol ows,21'Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah. Say this, "I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.22I shal overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kings of the nations. I shalloverthrow the chariots and their crews; horses and their riders wil fall, every one to the sword of his comrade.23When that day comes -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- I shal take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel myservant -- Yahweh declares -- and make you like a signet ring. For I have chosen you -- Yahweh Sabaothdeclares." '