⁷ “My father David had it in his heart^(A) to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. ⁸ But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. ⁹ 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.’

¹⁶ ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt,^(A) I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name^(B) might be there, but I have chosen^(C) David^(D) to rule my people Israel.’

¹⁷ “My father David had it in his heart^(E) to build a temple^(F) for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. ¹⁸ But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, you^(G) 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.’^(H)

²⁰ “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded^(I) David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built^(J) the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

¹² May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there,^(A) overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

I Darius^(B) have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.

⁴ Now I am about to build a temple^(A) for the Name of the Lord my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense^(B) before him, for setting out the consecrated bread^(C) regularly, and for making burnt offerings^(D) every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths,^(E) at the New Moons^(F) and at the appointed festivals of the Lord our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.