Add parallel Print Page Options

Solomon Addresses the People(A)

Then Solomon said, “Yahweh said he would live in a dark cloud. But I have built you a high temple, a home for you to live in permanently.”

Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly from Israel while they were standing. “Thanks be to Yahweh Elohim of Israel. With his mouth he made a promise to my father David; with his hand he carried it out. He said, ‘Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn’t choose any city from the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. And I didn’t choose any man to be prince over my people Israel. But now I’ve chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name; I’ve chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

“My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. However, Yahweh said to my father David, ‘Since you had your heart set on building a temple for my name, your intentions were good. But you must not build the temple. Instead, your own son will build the temple for my name.’ 10 Yahweh has kept the promise he made. I’ve taken my father David’s place, and I sit on the throne of Israel as Yahweh promised. I’ve built the temple for the name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 11 I’ve put the ark which contains Yahweh’s promise to Israel there.”

Solomon’s Prayer(B)

12 In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of Yahweh’s altar. He stretched out his hands to pray. 13 (Solomon had made a bronze platform 7½ feet long, 7½ feet wide, and 4½ feet high. He put it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on the platform, knelt in front of the entire assembly, and stretched out his hands toward heaven.) 14 He said,

Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
    there is no god like you in heaven or on earth.
You keep your promise[a] of mercy to your servants,
    who obey you wholeheartedly.
15 You have kept your promise to my father David, your servant.
    With your mouth you promised it.
    With your hand you carried it out as it is today.

16 “Now, Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
    keep your promise to my father David, your servant.
        You said, ‘You will never fail to have an heir
            sitting in front of me on the throne of Israel
                if your descendants are faithful to me
                    as you have been faithful to me.’

17 “So now, Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
    may the promise you made to David, your servant, come true.

18 “Does Elohim really live on earth with people?
    If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you,
    then how can this temple that I have built?
19 Nevertheless, my Yahweh Elohim, please pay attention to my prayer for mercy.
Listen to my cry for help as I pray to you.
20 Day and night may your eyes be on this temple,
    the place about which you said your name will be there.
Listen to me as I pray toward this place.
21 Hear the plea for mercy
    that your people Israel and I pray toward this place.
Hear us in heaven, the place where you live.
Hear and forgive.

22 “If anyone sins against another person
    and is required to take an oath
        and comes to take the oath in front of your altar in this temple,
23 then hear that person in heaven, take action, and make a decision.
    Repay the guilty person with the proper punishment,
        but declare the innocent person innocent.

24 “An enemy may defeat your people Israel
    because they have sinned against you.
        But when your people turn, praise your name, pray,
            and plead with you in this temple,
25 then hear them in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel,
    and bring them back to the land
        that you gave to them and their ancestors.

26 “When the sky is shut and there’s no rain
    because they are sinning against you
        and they pray toward this place, praise your name,
            and turn away from their sin because you made them suffer,
27 then hear them in heaven.
    Forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel.
    Teach them the proper way to live.
        Then send rain on the land,
            which you gave to your people as an inheritance.

28 “There may be famine in the land.
Plant diseases, heat waves, funguses, locusts,
    or grasshoppers may destroy crops.
Enemies may blockade Israel’s city gates.
During every plague or sickness
29 hear every prayer for mercy
    made by one person or by all the people in Israel,
        all who know suffering or pain,
            who stretch out their hands toward this temple.
30 Hear them in heaven, where you live.
    Forgive them, and give each person the proper reply.
        (You know what is in their hearts,
            because you alone know what is in people’s hearts.)
31 Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors,
    they will fear you and follow you.

32 “People who are not Israelites
    will come from distant countries because of your great name,
        mighty hand, and powerful arm.
When they come to pray facing this temple,
33 then hear them in heaven, the place where you live.
    Do everything they ask you
        so that all the people of the world may know your name
            and fear you like your people Israel
            and learn that this temple which I built bears your name.

34 “When your people go to war against their enemies
    (wherever you may send them)
        and they pray to you toward this city you have chosen
            and the temple I built for your name,
35 then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven,
    and do what is right for them.

36 “They may sin against you.
    (No one is sinless.)
    You may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy
        who takes them to another country as captives,
            whether it is far or near.
37 If they come to their senses,
    are sorry for what they’ve done,
        and plead with you in the land where they are captives,
            saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done wrong.
                We have been wicked,’
38 if they change their attitude toward you
    in the land where they are captives,
if they pray to you
    toward the land that you gave their ancestors,
        and the city you have chosen,
        and the temple I have built for your name,
39 then in heaven, the place where you live, hear their prayer for mercy.
    Do what is right for them.
        Forgive your people, who have sinned against you.

40 “Finally, my Elohim, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive
    to the prayers offered in this place.

41 “Now arise, and come to your resting place, Yahweh Elohim
    you and the ark of your power.
Clothe your priests, Yahweh Elohim, with salvation.
Let your godly ones rejoice in what is good.
42 Yahweh Elohim, do not reject your anointed one.
Remember your mercy to your servant David!”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:14 Or “covenant.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

Then (A)Solomon spoke:

“The Lord said He would dwell in the (B)dark cloud.
I have surely built You an exalted house,
And (C)a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech upon Completion of the Work(D)

Then the king turned around and (E)blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, (F)saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. (G)Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I (H)have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ Now (I)it was in the heart of my father David to build a [a]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My (J)name.’ 10 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and (K)sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 11 And there I have put the ark, (L)in which is the covenant of the Lord which He made with the children of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(M)

12 (N)Then [b]Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands 13 (for Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven); 14 and he said: “Lord God of Israel, (O)there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your (P)covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 15 (Q)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 Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, (R)‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, (S)only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17 And now, O Lord God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David.

18 “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? (T)Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this [c]temple which I have built! 19 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: 20 that Your eyes may be (U)open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes (V)toward this place. 21 And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, (W)forgive.

22 “If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an (X)oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 23 then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his (Y)righteousness.

24 “Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an (Z)enemy because they have sinned against You, and return and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this temple, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to them and their fathers.

26 “When the (AA)heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 27 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

28 “When there (AB)is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever (AC)sickness there is; 29 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: 30 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone (AD)know the (AE)hearts of the sons of men), 31 that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.

32 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, (AF)who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple; 33 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that [d]this temple which I have built is called by Your name.

34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

36 “When they sin against You (for there is (AG)no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them (AH)captive to a land far or near; 37 yet when they [e]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’; 38 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the (AI)city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name: 39 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You. 40 Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be (AJ)open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.

41 “Now(AK) therefore,
Arise, O Lord God, to Your (AL)resting place,
You and the ark of Your strength.
Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
And let Your saints (AM)rejoice in goodness.

42 “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed;
(AN)Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:7 Lit. house, and so in vv. 8–10
  2. 2 Chronicles 6:12 Lit. he
  3. 2 Chronicles 6:18 Lit. house
  4. 2 Chronicles 6:33 Lit. Your name is called upon this house
  5. 2 Chronicles 6:37 Lit. bring back to their hearts

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。」

Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;(A) I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.(B)

While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them. Then he said:

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, ‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem(C) for my Name(D) to be there, and I have chosen David(E) to rule my people Israel.’

“My father David had it in his heart(F) to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’

10 “The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant(G) of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(H)(I)

12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Now he had made a bronze platform,(J) five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high,[a] and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down(K) before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said:

Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you(L) in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love(M) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 15 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised(N) and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

16 “Now, Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail(O) to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me according to my law,(P) as you have done.’ 17 And now, Lord, the God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.

18 “But will God really dwell(Q) on earth with humans? The heavens,(R) even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 19 Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 20 May your eyes(S) be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name(T) there. May you hear(U) the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 21 Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.(V)

22 “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath(W) and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple, 23 then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning(X) the guilty and bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.

24 “When your people Israel have been defeated(Y) by an enemy because they have sinned against you and when they turn back and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication before you in this temple, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.

26 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain(Z) because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 27 then hear from heaven and forgive(AA) the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

28 “When famine(AB) or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 29 and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of their afflictions and pains, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— 30 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive,(AC) and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart),(AD) 31 so that they will fear you(AE) and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

32 “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come(AF) from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand(AG) and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, 33 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner(AH) asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.

34 “When your people go to war against their enemies,(AI) wherever you send them, and when they pray(AJ) to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

36 “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin(AK)—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive(AL) to a land far away or near; 37 and if they have a change of heart(AM) in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’; 38 and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; 39 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive(AN) your people, who have sinned against you.

40 “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive(AO) to the prayers offered in this place.

41 “Now arise,(AP) Lord God, and come to your resting place,(AQ)
    you and the ark of your might.
May your priests,(AR) Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
    may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness.(AS)
42 Lord God, do not reject your anointed one.(AT)
    Remember the great love(AU) promised to David your servant.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:13 That is, about 7 1/2 feet long and wide and 4 1/2 feet high or about 2.3 meters long and wide and 1.4 meters high