¹⁸ ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought^(A) to the day when the foundation^(B) of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought:

⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation^(A) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.^(B) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me^(C) to you.

⁹ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong^(A) so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets^(B) said who were present when the foundation^(C) was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty.