Definition: Then answered Haggai, and said, So [is] this people, and so [is] this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so [is] every work of their hands; and that which they offer there [is] unclean.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Haggai 2:14. It's a really important part of understanding what happened in God’s plan for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is very disappointed with the people building the temple. He’s pointing out that they weren't building it according to his instructions and are offering something that isn't clean or pure. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Then answered Haggai…” - This refers to Haggai, a young man who was part of the team tasked with rebuilding the temple. “…and said, So [is] this people, and so [is] this nation before me, saith the LORD;” – Haggai is telling him God is saying this: “This people… and this nation… are before Me.” “Saith the Lord” means it’s a direct message from God. “…and so [is] every work of their hands; and that which they offer there [is] unclean.” - This is the key part. Haggai is saying: “Every single thing they are building – everything they make – is tainted, dirty, or not good enough. It’s not right to offer it to God as a sacrifice.” It highlights that their efforts were being used for something that wasn't aligned with God’s will. What does this mean in bigger picture? God’s Perfect Standards: The verse is telling us that God has very high standards for how things should be done – especially when it comes to worship and sacrifice. He doesn’t accept anything less than perfect. A Warning: It's a warning to the builders to be careful and to make sure they are doing everything perfectly, according to God’s instructions. In essence, this verse is a call for diligence and faithfulness. God wants his people to build something that reflects His glory and serves Him well. --- Do you want me to: Explain it in another way? Connect it to a specific biblical story?