⁵ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you^(I) the one to build me a house to dwell in?^{(J) 6} I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.^(K) I have been moving from place to place with a tent^(L) as my dwelling.^{(M) 7} Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,^(N) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd^(O) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house^(P) of cedar?^(Q)”’

⁸ “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,^(R) and appointed you ruler^(S) over my people Israel.^{(T) 9} I have been with you wherever you have gone,^(U) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.^(V) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.^{(W) 10} And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant^(X) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.^(Y) Wicked^(Z) people will not oppress them anymore,^(AA) as they did at the beginning ¹¹ and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders^[a](AB) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.^(AC)

“‘The Lord declares^(AD) to you that the Lord himself will establish^(AE) a house^(AF) for you: ¹² When your days are over and you rest^(AG) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,^(AH) and I will establish his kingdom.^{(AI) 13} He is the one who will build a house^(AJ) for my Name,^(AK) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^{(AL) 14} I will be his father, and he will be my son.^(AM) When he does wrong, I will punish him^(AN) with a rod^(AO) wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. ¹⁵ But my love will never be taken away from him,^(AP) as I took it away from Saul,^(AQ) whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me^[b]; your throne^(AR) will be established^(AS) forever.^(AT)’”