This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time,(A) but will it seem marvelous to me?(B)” declares the Lord Almighty.

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.(C) I will bring them back(D) to live(E) in Jerusalem; they will be my people,(F) and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.(G)

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong(H) so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets(I) said who were present when the foundation(J) was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages(K) for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely(L) because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,”(M) declares the Lord Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit,(N) the ground will produce its crops,(O) and the heavens will drop their dew.(P) I will give all these things as an inheritance(Q) to the remnant of this people.(R)

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Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.

11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

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