these days Rather, those days, in which you began to build again.

hire i.e. return for his labour. See Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:9-11.

the affliction Rather, the adversary. Ezra 4:4.

every one against his neighbour This was the third evil which prevailed dearth, harassing by their enemies, their own dissensions in those days when the Temple lay neglected.

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