那时,所罗门说:

“耶和华啊,
你曾说你要住在密云中,
现在我为你建造了殿宇,
作你永远的居所。”

所罗门为民众祝福

王转身为站立在那里的以色列全体会众祝福。 他说:“以色列的上帝耶和华当受称颂!祂亲口给我父大卫的应许,祂也亲手成就了! 祂曾说,‘自从我把我的子民带出埃及以来,我并没有在以色列众支派中选出一座城建造殿宇作为我名所在之地,也没有选立一人做我以色列子民的君王。 但如今,我拣选了耶路撒冷作为我名所在之地,又拣选了大卫来治理我的以色列子民。’”

所罗门又说:“我父大卫曾想建一座殿来尊崇以色列的上帝耶和华之名, 但耶和华对我父大卫说,‘你想为我建殿,这番心意是好的, 但你不要建,要由你的亲生儿子为我建殿。’ 10 现在耶和华已经成就祂的应许,让我继承我父大卫的王位统治以色列,又为以色列的上帝耶和华的名建了殿。 11 我把约柜安放在里面,约柜里有耶和华与以色列人所立的约。”

所罗门的祷告

12 所罗门当着以色列会众的面,站在耶和华的坛前,向天伸出双手祷告。 13 他曾造一个长二点二五米,宽二点二五米,高一点三五米的铜台,放在院子中间。他站在台上,当着以色列会众的面跪下,向天伸出双手, 14 祷告说:“以色列的上帝耶和华啊,天上地下没有神明可以与你相比!你向尽心遵行你旨意的仆人守约、施慈爱。 15 你持守给你仆人——我父大卫的应许,你曾亲口应许,你今天亲手成就了。 16 以色列的上帝耶和华啊,你曾对你仆人——我父大卫说,‘若你的子孙像你一样谨慎行事,遵行我的律法,你的王朝就不会中断。’求你信守这应许。 17 以色列的上帝耶和华啊,求你实现你给你仆人大卫的应许。

18 “然而,上帝啊,你真的会住在人间吗?看啊,诸天尚且不够你居住,更何况我建造的这殿呢? 19 可是,我的上帝耶和华啊,求你垂顾你仆人的祷告和祈求,垂听你仆人在你面前的呼求和祷告。 20 愿你昼夜看顾这殿——你应许立你名的地方!你仆人向着这地方祷告的时候,求你垂听。 21 你仆人和你的以色列子民向这地方祈祷的时候,求你从你天上的居所垂听,赦免我们的罪。

22 “如果有人得罪邻舍,被叫到这殿中,在你的坛前起誓, 23 求你从天上垂听,在你众仆人当中施行审判,按他们的行为罚恶赏善。

24 “当你的以色列子民因得罪你而败在敌人手中时,如果他们回心转意归向你,承认你的名,在这殿里祈祷, 25 求你从天上垂听,赦免他们的罪,带领他们回到你赐给他们和他们祖先的土地上。

26 “当你的子民得罪你,你惩罚他们,使天不降雨时,如果他们向着这地方祷告,承认你的名,并离开罪恶, 27 求你在天上垂听,赦免你仆人——你以色列子民的罪,教导他们走正道,降下甘霖滋润你赐给你子民作产业的土地。

28 “如果国中有饥荒、瘟疫、旱灾、霉病、蝗灾、虫灾,或是城邑被敌人围困,无论遭遇什么灾祸疾病, 29 只要你的以色列子民,或个人或全体,自知心中痛苦并向着这殿伸手祷告,无论祈求什么, 30 求你从天上的居所垂听,赦免他们。唯独你能洞察人心,你必按各人的行为施行赏罚, 31 使你的子民在你赐给我们祖先的土地上终生敬畏你,遵行你的道。

32 “如果有远方的外族人听说你的大能大力,慕名而来,向着这殿祷告, 33 求你从天上的居所垂听,应允他们的祈求,好叫天下万民都像你的以色列子民一样认识你的名、敬畏你,并知道我建造的这殿属于你的名下。

34 “你的子民奉你的命令上阵与敌人作战,无论他们在哪里,如果他们向着你选择的这城和我为你建造的这殿祷告, 35 求你从天上垂听,使他们得胜。

36 “世上没有不犯罪的人,如果你的子民得罪你,以致你向他们发怒,让敌人把他们掳走,不论远近, 37 若他们在那里回心转意,向你恳求,承认自己犯罪作恶了; 38 若他们全心全意地归向你,朝着你赐给他们祖先的这片土地、你选择的这城和我为你建的这殿向你祷告, 39 求你从你天上的居所垂听他们的祈求,为他们伸张正义,赦免得罪你的子民。

40 “我的上帝啊,
求你睁眼看、侧耳听在这殿里献上的祷告。
41 耶和华上帝啊,
愿你起来与你大能的约柜一同进入你的安息之所!
耶和华上帝啊,
愿你的祭司披上救恩,
愿你的圣民蒙福欢乐!
42 耶和华上帝啊,
求你不要厌弃你所膏立的人,
顾念你曾应许以慈爱待你的仆人大卫。”

(A)Mu kiseera ekyo Sulemaani n’ayogera nti, “Mukama eyagamba nti Alituula mu kizikiza ekikutte; (B)nkuzimbidde yeekaalu ey’ekitiibwa, ekifo ky’onoobeerangamu emirembe gyonna.”

Awo kabaka n’akyuka n’atunuulira ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri ekyali kiyimiridde awo, n’abasabira omukisa. N’ayogera nti,

“Yeebazibwe Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri, atuukiriza n’omukono gwe ekyo kye yasuubiza n’akamwa ke eri Dawudi kitange, ng’agamba nti,

“ ‘Okuva ku lunaku lwe naggya abantu bange mu nsi y’e Misiri, tewali kibuga kye nnalonda mu bika byonna ebya Isirayiri okuzimba mu eyeekaalu olw’erinnya lyange, wadde omuntu yenna okuba omukulembeze w’abantu bange Isirayiri. (C)Naye kaakano nnonze Yerusaalemi okubeeramu Erinnya lyange, era nnonze Dawudi okufuga abantu bange Isirayiri.’ 

(D)“Kitange Dawudi yali akiteeseteese mu mutima gwe okuzimbira Erinnya lya Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri eyeekaalu. Naye Mukama n’agamba kitange Dawudi nti, ‘Newaakubadde nga kyali mu mutima gwo okuzimbira Erinnya lyange eyeekaalu, era wakola bulungi okuba nakyo mu mutima gwo, naye si ggwe olizimba yeekaalu eyo, wabula mutabani wo, ow’omubiri gwo n’omusaayi gwo; y’alizimbira Erinnya lyange eyeekaalu.’ 

10 “Kaakano, Mukama atuukirizza kye yasuubiza. Nsikidde Dawudi kitange, era ntudde ku ntebe ey’obwakabaka bwa Isirayiri, nga Mukama bwe yasuubiza, era nzimbidde Erinnya lya Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri eyeekaalu. 11 (E)Era omwo mwe ntadde essanduuko, omuli endagaano eya Mukama ggye yakola n’abantu ba Isirayiri.”

Okusaba kwa Sulemaani okw’Okuwonga Eyeekaalu

12 Awo Sulemaani n’ayimirira mu maaso g’ekyoto kya Mukama mu maaso g’ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri, n’ayimusa emikono gye. 13 (F)Yali akoze ekituuti eky’ekikomo, ekyali mita bbiri ne desimoolo ssatu obuwanvu n’obugazi mita bbiri ne desimoolo ssatu, n’obugulumivu mita emu ne desimoolo ssatu, era ng’akitadde wakati mu luggya olw’ebweru era kye yali ayimiriddeko. N’afukamira mu maaso g’ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri, n’ayimusa emikono gye eri eggulu. 14 (G)N’ayogera nti,

“Ayi Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri tewali Katonda akufaanana mu ggulu newaakubadde ku nsi, atuukiriza endagaano ye ey’okwagala eri abaddu be abatambulira mu maaso ge n’emitima gyabwe gyonna. 15 (H)Otuukirizza ekyo kye wasuubiza omuddu wo Dawudi kitange, kubanga wasuubiza n’akamwa ko, era okituukirizza n’omukono gwo leero.

16 (I)“Kaakano Ayi Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri, tuukiriza ebyo bye wasuubiza Dawudi kitange bwe wayogera nti, ‘Tolirema kufuna musika mu maaso gange kutuula ku ntebe ey’obwakabaka bwa Isirayiri, ab’ezzadde lyo bwe baneegenderezanga okutambuliranga mu maaso gange ng’etteeka lyange bwe liri, nga ggwe bw’otambulidde mu maaso gange.’ 17 Kale nno, Ayi Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri ekigambo kyo kye wasuubiza Dawudi omuddu wo kituukirire.

18 (J)“Naye ddala Katonda alituula n’abantu ku nsi? Laba, eggulu n’eggulu erisinga okuba erya waggulu toligyamu, kale ate olwo yeekaalu gye nzimbye gy’oyinza okugyamu? 19 Wuliriza okusaba kw’omuddu wo n’okwegayirira kwe, Ayi Mukama Katonda wange, owulire okusaba kw’omuddu wo kwasaba gy’oli. 20 (K)Amaaso go gatunuulirenga eyeekaalu eno emisana n’ekiro, ekifo kye wayogerako nti oliteeka omwo Erinnya lyo, era owulire okusaba kw’omuddu wo eri ekifo kino. 21 (L)Wulira kaakano okwegayirira kw’omuddu wo n’okw’abantu bo Isirayiri, bwe banaabanga basaba nga batunuulidde ekifo kino; owulirenga okuva mu kifo eyo gy’obeera, era bw’owuliranga, osonyiwenga.

22 (M)“Omuntu bw’anaayonoonanga ku muliraanwa we, ne kimugwanira okulayira, era n’ajja n’alayira mu maaso g’ekyoto mu yeekaalu eno, 23 (N)owulirenga okuva mu ggulu, obeeko ky’okola. Osalenga omusango wakati w’abaddu bo osasulenga gwe gusinze, ng’ebikolwa bye bwe bimusaanira. Oyatulenga atalina musango, era omusasulenga ng’obutuukirivu bwe, bwe bunaabanga.

24 (O)“Abantu bo Isirayiri bwe banaabanga bawanguddwa omulabe olw’obutali butuukirivu bwabwe, naye ne bakyuka ne baatula erinnya lyo, ne basaba ne beegayiririra mu maaso go mu yeekaalu eno, 25 kale owulirenga ng’osinziira mu ggulu, osonyiwe ekibi ky’abantu bo Isirayiri era obakomyewo mu nsi gye wabawa bo ne bajjajjaabwe.

26 (P)“Eggulu bwe linaggalwangawo ne wataba nkuba, kubanga boonoonye gy’oli, naye ne basaba nga batunuulidde ekifo kino, ne baatula erinnya lyo, ne bakyuka okuleka ekibi kyabwe ekibaweezesezza ekibonerezo, 27 (Q)kale owulirenga ng’osinziira mu ggulu, osonyiwe ekibi ky’abaddu bo, abantu bo Isirayiri, obayigirize ekkubo eggolokofu, lye bateekwa okutambulirangamu, era obaweereze enkuba ku nsi gye wawa abantu bo, obusika bwo.

28 (R)“Bwe wanaagwangawo enjala oba kawumpuli mu nsi, oba ne wabaawo okugengewala oba obukuku, oba enzige oba ebisaanyi, oba abalabe baabwe ne babazingiriza mu bibuga byabwe wadde ne bw’anaabanga kawumpuli ow’engeri etya, oba bulwadde bwa ngeri ki, 29 ne wabaawo okusaba oba okwegayirira okw’engeri zonna okukoleddwa omuntu yenna, oba abantu bo bonna Isirayiri, nga buli omu ategedde endwadde ye, n’obuyinike bwe, era ng’ayanjulurizza engalo ze eri yeekaalu eno, 30 (S)kale owulirenga ng’osinziira mu ggulu gy’obeera osonyiwe, era osasule buli muntu ng’ebikolwa bye bwe biri, kubanga ggwe wekka gw’omanyi emitima gy’abaana b’abantu; 31 (T)balyoke bakutyenga, era batambulirenga mu makubo go ennaku zonna ze banaabeeranga mu nsi gye wawa bajjajjaffe.

32 (U)“Era mu ngeri y’emu, bwe wanaabangawo munnaggwanga atali wa ku bantu bo Isirayiri, ng’ava mu nsi ey’ewala, olw’erinnya lyo ekkulu, n’olw’omukono gwo ogw’amaanyi, n’omukono gwo ogugoloddwa, bw’anajjanga n’asaba ng’atunuulidde eyeekaalu eno, 33 (V)kale owulirenga ng’osinziira mu ggulu gy’obeera, okolere omunnaggwanga oyo kyonna ky’anaakusabanga; abantu bonna ab’omu nsi balyoke bamanye erinnya lyo era bakutye, ng’abantu bo Isirayiri bwe bakola, era bategeere nti ennyumba eno gye nzimbye etuumiddwa Erinnya lyo.

34 (W)“Abantu bo bwe banaatabaalanga abalabe baabwe, yonna gy’onoobasindikanga, ne basaba nga batunuulidde ekibuga kino ky’olonze ne yeekaalu gye nzimbidde Erinnya lyo, 35 kale owulirenga okusaba kwabwe n’okwegayirira kwabwe, ng’osinziira mu ggulu, obaddiremu.

36 (X)“Bwe banaakolanga ebisobyo, kubanga tewaliwo muntu atasobya, n’obasunguwalira, n’obawaayo eri omulabe, ne batwalibwa nga basibe mu nsi ey’ewala oba ey’okumpi, 37 (Y)oluvannyuma ne beenenya mu mutima nga bali mu nsi gye bali abasibe, ne bakwegayiririra mu nsi ey’okusibibwa kwabwe nga boogera nti, ‘Twayonoona, twakola eby’obubambavu, era twagira ekyejo,’ 38 era bwe beenenyanga n’omutima gwabwe gwonna n’emmeeme yaabwe yonna mu nsi ey’okusibibwa kwabwe gye baatwalibwa, ne basaba nga batunuulidde ensi gye wawa bajjajjaabwe, n’eri ekibuga kye walonda, n’eri eyeekaalu gye nazimba ku lw’Erinnya lyo, 39 kale, owulirenga okusaba kwabwe n’okwegayirira kwabwe, ng’osinziira mu ggulu, ekifo gy’obeera obaddiremu, era osonyiwe abantu bo abakwonoonye.

40 (Z)“Kaakano Katonda wange, amaaso go gazibukenga, n’amatu go gawulirenga okusaba okunaaweerwangayo mu kifo kino.

41 (AA)“Era kaakano, Ayi Mukama Katonda golokoka, okke mu kifo kyo
    eky’okuwummulirangamu, ggwe n’essanduuko ey’amaanyi go.
Bakabona bo Ayi Mukama Katonda, bambazibwe obulokozi,
    era n’abatukuvu bo basanyukire obulungi bwo.
42 (AB)Ayi Mukama Katonda, tokyusa maaso go okuva ku oyo gwe wafukako amafuta.
    Ojjukire ekisa kye walaga Dawudi omuddu wo.”

那時,所羅門說:

「耶和華啊,
你曾說你要住在密雲中,
現在我為你建造了殿宇,
作你永遠的居所。」

所羅門為民眾祝福

王轉身為站立在那裡的以色列全體會眾祝福。 他說:「以色列的上帝耶和華當受稱頌!祂親口給我父大衛的應許,祂也親手成就了! 祂曾說,『自從我把我的子民帶出埃及以來,我並沒有在以色列眾支派中選出一座城建造殿宇作為我名所在之地,也沒有選立一人做我以色列子民的君王。 但如今,我揀選了耶路撒冷作為我名所在之地,又揀選了大衛來治理我的以色列子民。』」

所羅門又說:「我父大衛曾想建一座殿來尊崇以色列的上帝耶和華之名, 但耶和華對我父大衛說,『你想為我建殿,這番心意是好的, 但你不要建,要由你的親生兒子為我建殿。』 10 現在耶和華已經成就祂的應許,讓我繼承我父大衛的王位統治以色列,又為以色列的上帝耶和華的名建了殿。 11 我把約櫃安放在裡面,約櫃裡有耶和華與以色列人所立的約。」

所羅門的禱告

12 所羅門當著以色列會眾的面,站在耶和華的壇前,向天伸出雙手禱告。 13 他曾造一個長二點二五米,寬二點二五米,高一點三五米的銅臺,放在院子中間。他站在臺上,當著以色列會眾的面跪下,向天伸出雙手, 14 禱告說:「以色列的上帝耶和華啊,天上地下沒有神明可以與你相比!你向盡心遵行你旨意的僕人守約、施慈愛。 15 你持守給你僕人——我父大衛的應許,你曾親口應許,你今天親手成就了。 16 以色列的上帝耶和華啊,你曾對你僕人——我父大衛說,『若你的子孫像你一樣謹慎行事,遵行我的律法,你的王朝就不會中斷。』求你信守這應許。 17 以色列的上帝耶和華啊,求你實現你給你僕人大衛的應許。

18 「然而,上帝啊,你真的會住在人間嗎?看啊,諸天尚且不夠你居住,更何況我建造的這殿呢? 19 可是,我的上帝耶和華啊,求你垂顧你僕人的禱告和祈求,垂聽你僕人在你面前的呼求和禱告。 20 願你晝夜看顧這殿——你應許立你名的地方!你僕人向著這地方禱告的時候,求你垂聽。 21 你僕人和你的以色列子民向這地方祈禱的時候,求你從你天上的居所垂聽,赦免我們的罪。

22 「如果有人得罪鄰舍,被叫到這殿中,在你的壇前起誓, 23 求你從天上垂聽,在你眾僕人當中施行審判,按他們的行為罰惡賞善。

24 「當你的以色列子民因得罪你而敗在敵人手中時,如果他們回心轉意歸向你,承認你的名,在這殿裡祈禱, 25 求你從天上垂聽,赦免他們的罪,帶領他們回到你賜給他們和他們祖先的土地上。

26 「當你的子民得罪你,你懲罰他們,使天不降雨時,如果他們向著這地方禱告,承認你的名,並離開罪惡, 27 求你在天上垂聽,赦免你僕人——你以色列子民的罪,教導他們走正道,降下甘霖滋潤你賜給你子民作產業的土地。

28 「如果國中有饑荒、瘟疫、旱災、黴病、蝗災、蟲災,或是城邑被敵人圍困,無論遭遇什麼災禍疾病, 29 只要你的以色列子民,或個人或全體,自知心中痛苦並向著這殿伸手禱告,無論祈求什麼, 30 求你從天上的居所垂聽,赦免他們。唯獨你能洞察人心,你必按各人的行為施行賞罰, 31 使你的子民在你賜給我們祖先的土地上終生敬畏你,遵行你的道。

32 「如果有遠方的外族人聽說你的大能大力,慕名而來,向著這殿禱告, 33 求你從天上的居所垂聽,應允他們的祈求,好叫天下萬民都像你的以色列子民一樣認識你的名、敬畏你,並知道我建造的這殿屬於你的名下。

34 「你的子民奉你的命令上陣與敵人作戰,無論他們在哪裡,如果他們向著你選擇的這城和我為你建造的這殿禱告, 35 求你從天上垂聽,使他們得勝。

36 「世上沒有不犯罪的人,如果你的子民得罪你,以致你向他們發怒,讓敵人把他們擄走,不論遠近, 37 若他們在那裡回心轉意,向你懇求,承認自己犯罪作惡了; 38 若他們全心全意地歸向你,朝著你賜給他們祖先的這片土地、你選擇的這城和我為你建的這殿向你禱告, 39 求你從你天上的居所垂聽他們的祈求,為他們伸張正義,赦免得罪你的子民。

40 「我的上帝啊,
求你睜眼看、側耳聽在這殿裡獻上的禱告。
41 耶和華上帝啊,
願你起來與你大能的約櫃一同進入你的安息之所!
耶和華上帝啊,
願你的祭司披上救恩,
願你的聖民蒙福歡樂!
42 耶和華上帝啊,
求你不要厭棄你所膏立的人,
顧念你曾應許以慈愛待你的僕人大衛。」

Solomon Speaks to the People

Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in the ·dark cloud [thick cloud; thick cloud of darkness]. Lord, I have built a ·wonderful [magnificent; glorious; lofty] ·Temple [L house] for you—a place for you to ·live [dwell] forever.”

While all the ·Israelites [L community of Israel] were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them. Then he said, “·Praise [Bless] the Lord, the God of Israel. He has ·done [L fulfilled with his hand] what he ·promised [spoke] to my father David [2 Sam. 7:1–16]. The Lord said, ‘Since the ·time [L day] I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a ·Temple [L house] will be built for ·me [L my name to be there]. I did not choose a man to ·lead [rule] my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem ·as the place I am to be worshiped [L for my name to be], and I have chosen David to ·lead [rule] my people Israel.’

“My father David wanted to build a ·Temple [L house] for ·the [L the name of the] Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘·It was good that you [You did well to have] wanted to build a ·Temple [L house] for me. But you are not the one to build it. Your son, who ·comes from your own body [will be born to you], is the one who will build ·my Temple [L the house for my name].’

10 “Now the Lord has ·kept his promise [L established the word he spoke]. I am the king now in place of David my father. Now I ·rule [L sit on the throne of] Israel as the Lord promised, and I have built the ·Temple [L house] for ·the [L the name of the] Lord, the God of Israel. 11 There I have put the Ark, in which is the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty] the Lord made with the ·Israelites [people of Israel].”

Solomon’s Prayer

12 Then Solomon stood ·facing [L before] the Lord’s altar, ·and all the Israelites were standing behind him [L in the presence of the assembly/community of Israel]. He ·spread out [lifted] his hands. 13 He had made a bronze platform ·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] long, ·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] wide, and ·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] high, and he had placed it in the middle of the outer courtyard. Solomon stood on the platform. Then he kneeled in front of all the ·people [L assembly; community] of Israel gathered there, and he spread out his hands toward ·the sky [heaven]. 14 He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no god [C no true God] like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your ·agreement of love with [covenant/treaty and show unfailing love/loyalty to] your servants who ·truly follow [wholeheartedly/devotedly walk before] you. 15 You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You spoke it with your own mouth and finished it with your hands today.

16 “Now, Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You said, ‘If your sons ·are careful [guard their steps] ·to obey my teachings [L and walk in my laws] as you have ·obeyed [L walked], ·there will always be someone from your family [you will never fail to have someone] ·ruling [L sitting on the throne of] Israel.’ 17 Now, Lord, God of Israel, ·please continue to keep that promise you made [fulfill this word you have spoken] to your servant.

18 “But, ·God, can you [will God] really live here on the earth with ·people [mortals]? The ·sky and the highest place in heaven [heavens, even the highest heavens,] cannot contain you. ·Surely this house which I have built cannot contain you [How much less this temple/L house I have built]. 19 But ·please listen [listen favorably; attend] to my prayer and my request, because I am your servant. Lord my God, hear this ·prayer [cry] your servant prays to you. 20 Day and night please watch over this ·Temple [L house] where you have said you would ·be worshiped [L put your name]. Hear the prayer I pray facing this place. 21 Hear ·my prayers and the prayers of [L the pleas/entreaties/T supplications of your servant and] your people Israel when we pray facing this place. Hear from your home in heaven, and when you hear, forgive us.

22 “If someone ·wrongs another person [sins against his neighbor], he will be brought to the altar in this ·Temple [L house]. If he swears an oath [C that he is innocent], 23 then hear in heaven and act. Judge ·the case [L between your servants; C the accuser and the accused], ·punish [condemn; repay] the guilty, but ·declare that [justify; acquit] the ·innocent person is not guilty [righteous because of their innocence/righteousness].

24 “·When [If] your people, the Israelites, sin against you, their enemies will defeat them. But if they ·come back [return] to you and ·praise you [acknowledge/confess your name] and pray and ·appeal [T make supplication] to you in this ·Temple [L house], 25 then ·listen [hear] from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ·ancestors [fathers].

26 “When they sin against you, you will ·stop the rain from falling on their land [shut up the heavens/sky and stop the rain]. Then they will pray, facing this place and ·praising you [acknowledge/confess your name]; they will stop sinning ·when [because] you ·make them suffer [punish/afflict them]. 27 When this happens, hear their prayer in heaven, and forgive the sins of your servants, the Israelites. Teach them ·to do what is right [the right way to live; L the good way in which they should walk]. Then please send rain to ·this [L your] land you have given ·particularly to them [L to your people as an inheritance/special possession].

28 “·At times the land will get so dry that no food will grow [L If there is famine in the land…], or ·a great sickness will spread among the people [a plague; pestilence…]. ·Sometimes [L …or if…] the crops will be destroyed by blight, mildew, locusts, or grasshoppers. ·Your [L …or if…] people will be attacked in their cities by their enemies, or will become sick. 29 ·When any of these things [—whatever plague/disaster or disease] happens, ·the [L …and if the…] people will ·become truly sorry [pray about their troubles/affliction and pain/sorrows…]. ·If [L …and] your people spread their hands in prayer toward this ·Temple [L house], 30 then hear their prayers from your home in heaven. Forgive and ·treat [deal with] each person as he ·should be treated [deserves] because you know what is in a person’s heart. Only you know ·what is in people’s hearts [the human heart]. 31 Then the people will ·respect [fear; revere; honor] and ·obey you [L walk in your ways] as long as they live in this land you gave our ·ancestors [fathers].

32 “People who are not Israelites, foreigners from other lands, will hear about your ·greatness [L great name] and ·power [L mighty hand and outstretched arm]. They will come from far away to pray ·at this Temple [L toward this house]. 33 Then hear from your home in heaven, and ·do [grant; answer] whatever they ask you. Then ·people everywhere [L all the peoples of the earth] will know ·you [L your name] and ·respect [fear; revere; acknowledge] you, just as your people Israel do. Then everyone will know that I built this ·Temple [L house] as a place to ·worship you [L bear your name].

34 “When your people go out to fight their enemies ·along some road on which [by whichever way] you send them, your people will pray to you, ·facing [toward] this city which you have chosen and the ·Temple [L house] I have built for ·you [L your name]. 35 Then hear in heaven their prayers and their ·plea [T supplication], and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them].

36 “·Everyone sins, so your people will also sin against you [When/If your people sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—…]. You will become angry with them and will ·hand them over [deliver them] to their enemies. Their enemies will capture them and take them away to a country far or near. 37 ·Your people will be sorry for their sins [If they stop and think/come to their senses…] when they are held as ·prisoners [captives] in another country. ·They will be sorry […and they repent…] and ·pray [plead; make supplication] to you in the land ·where they are held as prisoners [of their captivity], saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done ·wrong [evil] and acted wickedly.’ 38 ·They will truly turn back to you […and they return to you with all their heart and soul/being] in the land where they are captives. ·They will […and they] pray, ·facing this [toward the] land you gave their ·ancestors [fathers], this city you have chosen, and the ·Temple [L house] I have built for ·you [L your name…]. 39 Then hear their prayers and their ·plea [T supplication] from your home in heaven, and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them]. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

40 “Now, my God, ·look at us. Listen [L …may your eyes be open and your ears attentive] to the prayers we pray in this place.

41 Now, ·rise [ascend], Lord God, and ·come to [enter] your resting place.
    Come with the ·Ark of the Agreement that shows your strength [L ark of your might/power].
Let your priests ·receive [L be clothed with] your salvation, Lord God,
    and may your ·holy people [godly/faithful ones] ·be happy because of your goodness [rejoice in what is good].
42 Lord God, do not ·reject [turn away from] your ·appointed [anointed] ·one [or ones].
    Remember your ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] for your servant David [Ps. 132:1, 8–10].”