历代志下 6
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
所罗门宣告建殿的理由(A)
6 那时所罗门说：
“耶和华曾说他要住在幽暗之中。
2 我已经为你建造了巍峨的殿宇，
作你永远居住的地方。”
3 然后王转过来，给以色列全体会众祝福，以色列全体会众都站着。
4 所罗门说：“耶和华以色列的 神是应当称颂的！他亲口对我的父亲大卫应许的，已亲手作成了，他说： 5 ‘自从我领我的子民从埃及地出来的那天，我没有在以色列众支派中，拣选一座城建造殿宇，使我的名留在那里；我也没有拣选一个人作领袖，统治我的子民以色列。 6 我却拣选了耶路撒冷，使我的名留在那里；也拣选了大卫，统治我的子民以色列。’ 7 我的父亲大卫有心要为耶和华以色列的 神的名建造殿宇。 8 耶和华却对我的父亲大卫说：‘你心想要为我的名建造殿宇，你心意很好； 9 不过不是由你建造殿宇，而是你的儿子，你亲生的儿子，他必为我的名建殿。’ 10 现在耶和华实现了他所说过的话，我已经起来接续我的父亲大卫，坐上了以色列的王位，就像耶和华所说的；我为耶和华以色列的 神的名建造了这殿。 11 我也把约柜安放在殿里，约柜中有耶和华和以色列人所立的约。”
所罗门献殿的祷告(B)
12 所罗门在以色列全体会众面前，站在耶和华的祭坛前，张开双手； 13 原来所罗门做了一座铜台，长两公尺两公寸，宽两公尺两公寸，高一公尺三公寸，安放在外院中。那时他站在铜台上，在以色列全体会众面前，屈膝下跪，向天张开双手， 14 说：“耶和华以色列的 神啊，天上地下没有神可以和你相比的，你向那些一心行在你面前的仆人，常是守约施慈爱的； 15 你对你的仆人我父亲大卫所应许的，你都遵守了，你亲口应许，也亲手成全，就像今日一样。 16 耶和华以色列的 神啊，你应许你的仆人我父亲大卫说：‘只要你的子孙谨守他们的行为，遵守我的律法，像你在我面前所行的一样，你就不会断人在我面前坐上以色列的王位。’现在求你应验这话吧。 17 耶和华以色列的 神啊，现在求你实现你向你的仆人大卫应许的话吧！
18 “ 神真的要和人住在地上吗？看哪，天和天上的天也容不下你，何况我建造的这殿呢？ 19 耶和华我的 神啊，求你垂注你仆人的祷告和祈求，聆听你仆人在你面前所发的呼喊和祷告。 20 求你张开眼睛，昼夜看顾这殿，就是看顾你所说要立你名的地方；求你垂听你仆人向着这地方所发的祷告。 21 求你垂听你的仆人和你的子民以色列的祈求，就是他们向着这地方所发的祷告；求你从天上，从你的居所垂听，垂听和赦免。
22 “人若是得罪了邻舍，有人要他起誓，他就来到这殿，在你的祭坛前起誓； 23 求你从天上垂听，施行你的作为，审判你的仆人，照着恶人所行的报应在他头上；宣告义人无罪，照着他的义行赏赐他。
24 “如果你的子民以色列得罪了你，以致在仇敌面前被击败；后来回心转意，承认你的名，在这殿里向你祷告祈求， 25 求你从天上垂听，赦免你子民以色列的罪，领他们归回你赐给他们和他们列祖的土地。
26 “你的子民因得罪了你，你惩罚他们，使天闭塞不下雨；如果他们向着这地方祷告，承认你的名，离开他们的罪， 27 求你在天上垂听，赦免你的仆人和你的子民以色列的罪，把他们当行的正道指教他们，降雨在你的地上，就是你赐给你的子民作产业的地上。
28 “国中若是有饥荒、瘟疫、旱风、霉烂、蝗虫、蚂蚱，或是有仇敌围困城镇，或是有甚么灾祸，甚么疾病， 29 你的子民以色列，无论是个别或是全体，自知自己的灾祸和痛苦，向着这殿张开双手祷告或祈求， 30 求你从天上你的居所垂听和赦免他们，你是知道人心的，你必照着各人所行的报应各人；因为只有你知道世人的心。 31 使他们在你赐给我们列祖的地上，一生一世敬畏你，遵行你的道路。
32 “至于在你的子民以色列以外的外族人，他们为了你的大名、你大能的手和伸出来的膀臂，从远方而来；他们来向着这殿祷告的时候， 33 求你从天上，从你的居所垂听他们，照着外族人向你呼求的一切而行，使地上万民都认识你的名，敬畏你，像你的子民以色列一样；又使他们知道我建造的这殿，是奉为你名的所在。
34 “如果你的子民在你派他们出去的路上，和仇敌作战，他们向着你拣选的这城，和向着我为你的名建造的这殿向你祷告， 35 求你从天上垂听他们的祷告祈求，使他们得胜。
36 “如果你的子民得罪了你（因为世上没有不犯罪的人），你向他们发怒，把他们交在仇敌面前，以致仇敌把他们掳到外地或远或近； 37 如果他们在被掳去的地方回心转意，在被掳去的地方祈求你说：‘我们犯了罪了，我们作了孽了，我们行了恶了。’ 38 如果他们在被掳去的地方一心一意归向你，又向着他们自己的地，就是你赐给他们列祖的地，和向着你拣选的这城，以及向着我为你的名建造的这殿祷告， 39 求你从天上，从你的居所垂听他们的祷告祈求，为他们伸冤，赦免得罪了你的那些子民。
40 “我的 神啊，现在求你张开眼睛，求你的耳朵垂听在这地方献上的祷告。 41 现在，耶和华 神啊，求你起来，愿你和你有大能的约柜进入你安息的地方；耶和华 神啊，愿你的祭司都披上救恩；愿你的圣民在福乐中欢欣。 42 耶和华 神啊，求你不要转脸不顾你所膏的人：愿你记念你向你仆人大卫所施的慈爱。”
歷代志下 6
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
6 那時，所羅門說：
「耶和華啊，
你曾說你要住在密雲中，
2 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
3 王轉身為站立在那裡的以色列全體會眾祝福。 4 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！ 5 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。 6 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。』」
7 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， 8 但耶和華對我父大衛說，『你想為我建殿，這番心意是好的， 9 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。」
2 Chronicles 6
Expanded Bible
Solomon Speaks to the People
6 Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in the ·dark cloud [thick cloud; thick cloud of darkness]. 2 Lord, I have built a ·wonderful [magnificent; glorious; lofty] ·Temple [L house] for you—a place for you to ·live [dwell] forever.”
3 While all the ·Israelites [L community of Israel] were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them. 4 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, 5 ‘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. 6 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.’
7 “My father David wanted to build a ·Temple [L house] for ·the [L the name of the] Lord, the God of Israel. 8 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. 9 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].”
2 Chronicles 6
Good News Translation
Solomon's Address to the People(A)
6 Then King Solomon prayed,
“Lord, you have chosen to live in clouds and darkness.
2 Now I have built a majestic temple for you,
a place for you to live in forever.”
3 All the people of Israel were standing there. The king turned to face them and asked God's blessing on them. 4 (B)He said, “Praise the Lord God of Israel! He has kept the promise he made to my father David when he said to him, 5 ‘From the time I brought my people out of Egypt until now, I did not choose any city in the land of Israel as the place to build a temple where I would be worshiped, and I did not choose anyone to lead my people Israel. 6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place where I will be worshiped, and you, David, to rule my people.’”
7 And Solomon continued, “My father David planned to build a temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel, 8 but the Lord said to him, ‘You were right in wanting to build a temple for me, 9 but you will never build it. It is your son, your own son, who will build my temple.’
10 “Now the Lord has kept his promise: I have succeeded my father as king of Israel, and I have built a temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel. 11 I have placed in the Temple the Covenant Box, which contains the stone tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with the people of Israel.”
Solomon's Prayer(C)
12 Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar and raised his arms in prayer. (13 Solomon had made a bronze platform and put it in the middle of the courtyard. It was eight feet square and five feet high. He mounted this platform, knelt down where everyone could see him, and raised his hands toward heaven.) 14 He prayed, “Lord God of Israel, in all heaven and earth there is no god like you. You keep your covenant with your people and show them your love when they live in wholehearted obedience to you. 15 You have kept the promise you made to my father David; today every word has been fulfilled. 16 (D)Now, Lord God of Israel, keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided that they carefully obeyed your Law just as he did. 17 So now, Lord God of Israel, let everything come true that you promised to your servant David.
18 (E)“But can you, O God, really live on earth among men and women? Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough? 19 Lord my God, I am your servant. Listen to my prayer and grant the requests I make to you. 20 (F)Watch over this Temple day and night. You have promised that this is where you will be worshiped, so hear me when I face this Temple and pray. 21 Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people Israel when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.
22 “When people are accused of wronging others and are brought to your altar in this Temple to take an oath that they are innocent, 23 O Lord, listen in heaven and judge your servants. Punish the guilty ones as they deserve and acquit the innocent.
24 “When your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you and then when they turn to you and come to this Temple, humbly praying to you for forgiveness, 25 listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of your people and bring them back to the land which you gave to them and to their ancestors.
26 “When you hold back the rain because your people have sinned against you and then when they repent and face this Temple, humbly praying to you, 27 O Lord, listen to them in heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, the people of Israel, and teach them to do what is right. Then, O Lord, send rain on this land of yours, which you gave to your people as a permanent possession.
28 “When there is famine in the land or an epidemic or the crops are destroyed by scorching winds or swarms of locusts, or when your people are attacked by their enemies, or when there is disease or sickness among them, 29 listen to their prayers. If any of your people Israel, out of heartfelt sorrow, stretch out their hands in prayer toward this Temple, 30 hear their prayer. Listen to them in your home in heaven and forgive them. You alone know the thoughts of the human heart. Deal with each of us as we deserve, 31 so that your people may honor you and obey you all the time they live in the land which you gave to our ancestors.
32 “When foreigners who live in a distant land hear how great and powerful you are and how you are always ready to act, and then they come to pray at this Temple, 33 listen to their prayers. In heaven, where you live, hear them and do what they ask you to do, so that all the peoples of the world may know you and obey you, as your people Israel do. Then they will know that this Temple I have built is where you are to be worshiped.
34 “When you command your people to go into battle against their enemies and they pray to you, wherever they are, facing this city which you have chosen and this Temple which I have built for you, 35 listen to their prayers. Hear them in heaven and give them victory.
36 “When your people sin against you—and there is no one who does not sin—and in your anger you let their enemies defeat them and take them as prisoners to some other land, even if that land is far away, 37 listen to your people's prayers. If there in that land they repent and pray to you, confessing how sinful and wicked they have been, hear their prayers, O Lord. 38 If in that land they truly and sincerely repent and pray to you as they face toward this land which you gave to our ancestors, this city which you have chosen, and this Temple which I have built for you, 39 then listen to their prayers. In your home in heaven hear them and be merciful to them and forgive all the sins of your people.
40 “Now, O my God, look on us and listen to the prayers offered in this place. 41 (G)Rise up now, Lord God, and with the Covenant Box, the symbol of your power, enter the Temple and stay here forever. Bless your priests in all they do, and may all your people be happy because of your goodness to them. 42 Lord God, do not reject the king you have chosen. Remember the love you had for your servant David.”[a]
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 6:42 the love you … David; or your servant David's loyal service.
2 Chronicles 6
Modern English Version
6 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that He would dwell in the dark cloud. 2 But I have built for You an exalted house, even a habitation where You can continually dwell.”
Solomon’s Speech
3 Then the king turned his face around, and he blessed the entire assembly of Israel while all the assembly of Israel was standing before him. 4 And he said:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who spoke with David my father and fulfilled His promise saying, 5 ‘Since the day that I brought out My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose any city from among the tribes of Israel to build a house for My name to dwell there, nor did I select a man to be the leader over My people Israel; 6 but I have chosen Jerusalem for My name to dwell there, and I have selected David to be over My people Israel.’
7 “And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 8 But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well because of what was in your heart; 9 only you will not be the one to build the house. For your son, who will be born to you, he will build a house for My name.’
10 “The Lord has fulfilled the word that He spoke. For I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord spoke, and I will build the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 11 And there I have set the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that He made with the children of Israel.”
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(A)
12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord before all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 For Solomon made a bronze platform and set it in the midst of the enclosure. It was five cubits in length, five cubits in width, and three cubits in height.[a] And he stood on it and knelt down before all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands to heaven. 14 And he said:
“O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like You in the heavens or on the earth, who keeps covenants and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their heart. 15 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father. You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.
16 “And now, O Lord God of Israel, keep what You promised Your servant David my father saying, ‘You will not lack a man sitting on the throne of Israel before Me, if only your sons take heed to their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17 And now, O Lord God of Israel, may Your word be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant David.
18 “For will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, are not able to contain You, much less this house that I have built. 19 But respond to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, to listen to the cry and prayer of Your servant who prays before You, 20 that Your eyes might be open toward this house both day and night, to the place that You have said that You will set Your name, in order to hear the prayer of Your servant for this place. 21 And listen to the pleas of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. And may You respond from heaven, the place of Your dwelling, so that You hear and forgive.
22 “If a man sins against his companion, and the companion swears and puts him under a curse, and the wronged man comes with an oath before Your altar at this temple, 23 then You will hear from heaven, and You will act and judge Your servants, to repay the guilty one by bringing his way on his own head; and to vindicate the innocent one by rendering to him according to his righteous behavior.
24 “If Your people Israel are struck before enemies because they have sinned against You, and they return and confess Your name and pray and seek Your favor in this house, 25 then You will hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and You will bring them back to the land that You gave them and their fathers.
26 “When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, 27 then You will hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and Your people Israel because You will teach them the good path in which they will walk, and You will send rain on the land that You have given to Your people as a possession.
28 “When there is famine in the land or when there is pestilence, blight, mildew, winged locust, or grasshopper, or when enemies besiege them in the land up to their city gates, in whatever plague or sickness, 29 whatever prayer or plea that is made by any man or by all your people Israel, when each man knows his own affliction and his own sorrow, and stretches out his hands toward this house, 30 then You will hear from heaven, the place of the habitation of Your dwelling, and forgive, and You will render to each according to his conduct, for You know their hearts (for You alone know the heart of people), 31 so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days that they live on the land that You have given to our fathers.
32 “When foreigners are not from Your people Israel and come from a distant land, because of Your great name, mighty hand, and outstretched arm, and they come and pray toward this house, 33 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and act on everything for which the foreigner calls on You, that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.
34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, in the way that You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city that You have chosen and the house that I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and plea and act for their cause.
36 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin) and You are angry against them and give them to their enemies, and they are taken captive to a land, whether distant or near, 37 and they turn their hearts in the land that they have been taken captive, and they repent and seek Your favor in the land of captivity saying, ‘We have sinned, done wrong, and acted wickedly,’ 38 and if they turn in repentance to You with all their heart and all their soul in the land of their captivity that they were taken to, and pray toward the land that You have given to their fathers, and toward the city that You have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for Your name, 39 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer and supplication, and maintain their cause, and forgive the people who have sinned against You.
40 “Now, O my God, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer that I offer in this place.
41 “Now rise up, O Lord God, to Your resting place,
both You and the ark of Your strength.
And let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed in salvation
and Your loyal ones rejoice in goodness.
42 O Lord God, do not turn Your face from Your anointed.
Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 6:13 About 7½ feet long and wide, and 4½ feet high; or 2.3 meters long and wide, and 1.4 meters high.
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Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.