1 Kings 8:17-30

New International Version

¹⁷ “My father David had it in his heart^(A) to build a temple^(B) 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^(C) 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.’^(D)

²⁰ “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded^(E) David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built^(F) the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. ²¹ I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like^(I) you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love^(J) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. ²⁴ You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

²⁵ “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises^(K) you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail 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 faithfully as you have done.’ ²⁶ And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised^(L) your servant David my father come true.

²⁷ “But will God really dwell^(M) on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven,^(N) cannot contain^(O) you. How much less this temple I have built! ²⁸ Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. ²⁹ May your eyes be open^(P) toward^(Q) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name^(R) shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. ³⁰ Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray^(S) toward this place. Hear^(T) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.^(U)