¹ In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

² Say now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, ruler of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the rest of the people,

³ Who is there still among you who saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing?

⁴ But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and get to work: for I am with you, says the Lord of armies:

⁵ The agreement which I made with you when you came out of Egypt, and my spirit, are with you still; have no fear.

⁶ For this is what the Lord of armies has said: In a short time I will make a shaking of the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;

⁷ And I will make a shaking of all the nations, and the desired things of all nations will come: and I will make this house full of my glory, says the Lord of armies.

⁸ The silver is mine and the gold is mine, says the Lord of armies.

⁹ The second glory of this house will be greater than the first, says the Lord of armies: and in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of armies.

¹⁰ On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

¹¹ These are the words of the Lord of armies: Put now a point of law to the priests, saying,

¹² If anyone has some holy flesh folded in the skirt of his robe, will bread or soup or wine or oil or any other food be made holy if touched by his skirt? And the priests answering said, No.

¹³ Then Haggai said, Will any of these be made unclean by the touch of one who is unclean through touching a dead body? And the priests answering said, It will be made unclean.

¹⁴ Then Haggai said, So is this people and so is this nation before me, says the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and the offering they give there is unclean.

¹⁵ And now, give thought, looking back from this day to the time before one stone was put on another in the Temple of the Lord:

¹⁶ How, when anyone came to a store of twenty measures, there were only ten: when anyone went to the wine-store to get fifty vessels full, there were only twenty.

¹⁷ And I sent burning and wasting and a rain of ice-drops on all the works of your hands; but still you were not turned to me, says the Lord.

¹⁸ And now, give thought; looking on from this day, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the time when the base of the Lord's house was put in its place, give thought to it.

¹⁹ Is the seed still in the store-house? have the vine and the fig-tree, the pomegranate and the olive-tree, still not given their fruit? from this day I will send my blessing on you.

²⁰ And the word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

²¹ Say to Zerubbabel, ruler of Judah, I will make a shaking of the heavens and the earth,

²² Overturning the power of kingdoms; and I will send destruction on the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; by me war-carriages will be overturned with those who are in them; and the horses and the horsemen will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

²³ In that day, says the Lord of armies, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and will make you as a jewelled ring: for I have taken you to be mine, says the Lord of armies.

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law.

² Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

³ Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

⁴ You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

⁵ Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!

⁶ Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.

⁷ I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

⁸ I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BET

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰ With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

¹² Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.

¹³ With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

¹⁶ I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL

¹⁷ Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.

²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

²¹ You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

²² Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.

²³ Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

²⁴ Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED

²⁵ My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!

²⁶ I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.

²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

²⁹ Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!

³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

³¹ I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.

³² I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEY

³³ Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.

³⁹ Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

⁴⁰ Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW

⁴¹ Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.

⁴² So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³ Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.

⁴⁴ So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.

⁴⁵ I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶ I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.

⁴⁷ I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

⁴⁸ I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.

⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

⁵¹ The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law.

⁵² I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.

⁵³ Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.

⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.

⁵⁵ I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.

⁵⁶ This is my way, that I keep your precepts. CHET

⁵⁷ Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.

⁵⁸ I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.

⁵⁹ I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

⁶⁰ I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.

⁶¹ The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.

⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

⁶³ I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.

⁶⁴ The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET

⁶⁵ Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.

⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

⁶⁸ You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁹ The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.

⁷⁰ Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD

⁷³ Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

⁷⁴ Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵ Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

⁷⁶ Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

⁷⁷ Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

⁷⁸ Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.

⁷⁹ Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

⁸⁰ Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAF

⁸¹ My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

⁸² My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"

⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.

⁸⁴ How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

⁸⁵ The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.

⁸⁶ All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!

⁸⁷ They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.

⁸⁸ Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED

⁸⁹ Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.

⁹⁰ Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

⁹¹ Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹² Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.

⁹⁴ I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.

⁹⁵ The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.

⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM

⁹⁷ How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.

⁹⁸ Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

¹⁰² I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.

¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.

¹¹¹ I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹² I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH

¹¹³ I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

¹¹⁵ Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶ Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷ Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸ You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

¹¹⁹ You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN

¹²¹ I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.

¹²² Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.

¹²³ My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.

¹²⁵ I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

¹²⁶ It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.

¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰ The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

¹³¹ I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

¹³² Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

¹³³ Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

¹³⁶ Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI

¹³⁷ You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.

¹³⁸ You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

¹⁴¹ I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.

¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴ Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF

¹⁴⁵ I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.

¹⁴⁶ I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.

¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.

¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁰ They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

¹⁵¹ You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.

¹⁵² Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH

¹⁵³ Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes.

¹⁵⁶ Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.

¹⁶⁰ All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN

¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

¹⁶² I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

¹⁶⁵ Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶ I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.

¹⁶⁷ My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.

¹⁷¹ Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

¹⁷² Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³ Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. A Song of Ascents.