Haggai 1:2
that this is what the LORD of Hosts says:
What it says
The people are quoted as saying that the time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD's house.
What it is doing
This verse states the excuse the prophet must confront.
In context
1In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating 2that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 3Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 4“Is it a time for you yourselves 5Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 6You have planted much 7This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 8Go up into the hills, 9You expected much, 10Therefore, on account of you 11I have summoned a drought