Yet manyof the priestsand Levitesand headsof fathers'[households], the oldmenwhohad seenthe firsttemple,weptwith a loudvoicewhen the foundationof thishousewas laidbefore their eyes,while manyshoutedaloudfor joy,
so that the peoplecould not distinguishthe soundof the shoutof joyfrom the soundof the weepingof the people,for the peopleshoutedwith a loudshout,and the soundwas heardfaraway.
"Though your beginningwas insignificant,Yet your endwill increasegreatly.
He who goesto and froweeping,carrying[his] bagof seed,Shall indeedcomeagain with a shoutof joy,bringinghis sheaves[with him].
Praisethe LORD!For it is goodto singpraisesto our God;For it is pleasant[and] praiseis becoming.
"Do not fear,you wormJacob,you menof Israel;I will helpyou," declaresthe LORD,"and your Redeemeris the HolyOneof Israel.
"The smallestonewill becomea clan,And the leastonea mightynation.I, the LORD,will hastenit in its time."
"In thosedaysand at that time,"declaresthe LORD,"the sonsof Israelwill come,[both] they and the sonsof Judahas well;they will goalong weepingas they go,and it will be the LORDtheir Godthey will seek.
Whois leftamong you whosawthistemplein its formerglory?And howdo you seeit now?Does it not seemto you like nothingin comparison?
"For whohas despisedthe dayof smallthings?But thesesevenwill be gladwhen they seethe plumblinein the handof Zerubbabel--[these are] the eyesof the LORDwhichrangeto and frothroughoutthe earth."
