⁹ Thus says the Lord of hosts: ^(A)“Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of ^(B)the prophets who were present on ^(C)the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

²¹ Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to ^(A)your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and ^(B)the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

⁴ Yet now ^(A)be strong, O ^(B)Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. ^(C)Be strong, O ^(D)Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. ^(E)Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. ^(F)Work, for ^(G)I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts,