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. ¹⁰ Before that time there were no wages^(D) for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely^(E) 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,”^(F) declares the Lord Almighty.