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Then Shlomo assembled all the leaders of Isra’el, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the paternal clans of the people of Isra’el, to King Shlomo in Yerushalayim, to bring the ark for the covenant of Adonai out of the City of David, also known as Tziyon. All the men of Isra’el assembled before King Shlomo at the festival in the month of Etanim, the seventh month. All the leaders of Isra’el came. The cohanim took the ark and brought up the ark of Adonai, the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils that were in the tent; these are what the cohanim and L’vi’im brought up. King Shlomo and the whole community of Isra’el assembled in his presence were with him in front of the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen in numbers beyond counting or recording.

The cohanim brought the ark for the covenant of Adonai in to its place inside the sanctuary of the house, to the Especially Holy Place, under the wings of the k’ruvim. For the k’ruvim spread out their wings over the place for the ark, covering the ark and its poles from above. The poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside; they are there to this day. There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moshe put there at Horev, when Adonai made the covenant with the people of Isra’el at the time of their leaving the land of Egypt.

10 When the cohanim came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of Adonai, 11 so that, because of the cloud, the cohanim could not stand up to perform their service; for the glory of Adonai filled the house of Adonai.

12 Shlomo said, “Adonai said he would live in thick darkness. 13 But I have built you a magnificent house, a place where you can live forever.”

14 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole community of Isra’el. The whole community of Isra’el stood 15 as he said: “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Isra’el, who spoke to my father David with his mouth and fulfilled his promise with his hand. He said, 16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Isra’el out of Egypt, I chose no city from any of the tribes of Isra’el in which to build a house, so that my name might be there; but I did choose David to be over my people Isra’el.’ 17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Adonai the God of Isra’el; 18 but Adonai said to David my father, ‘Although it was in your heart to build a house for my name, and you did well that it was in your heart, 19 nevertheless you will not build the house. Rather, you will father a son, and it will be he who will build the house for my name.’ 20 Now Adonai has fulfilled this spoken word of his; for I have succeeded my father and sit on the throne of Isra’el, as Adonai promised; and I have built the house for the name of Adonai the God of Isra’el. 21 And there I have made a place for the ark containing the covenant of Adonai, which he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

22 Then Shlomo stood before the altar of Adonai in the presence of the whole community of Isra’el, spread out his hands toward heaven, 23 and said, “Adonai, God of Isra’el, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep covenant with your servants and show them grace, provided they live in your presence with all their heart. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father; you spoke with your mouth and fulfilled it with your hand; so it is today. 25 Now therefore, Adonai, God of Isra’el, keep what you promised to your servant David, my father, when you said, ‘You will never lack a man in my presence to sit on the throne of Isra’el, if only your children are careful about what they do, so that they live in my presence, just as you have lived in my presence.’ 26 Now therefore, God of Isra’el, please let your word, which you spoke to your servant David, my father, be confirmed.

27 “But can God actually live on the earth? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain you; so how much less this house I have built? 28 Even so, Adonai my God, pay attention to your servant’s prayer and plea, listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying before you today, 29 that your eyes will be open toward this house night and day — toward the place concerning which you said, ‘My name will be there’ — to listen to the prayer your servant will pray toward this place. 30 Yes, listen to the plea of your servant, and also that of your people Isra’el when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven where you live; and when you hear, forgive!

31 “If a person sins against a fellow member of the community, and he is made to swear under oath, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house; 32 then hear in heaven, act, and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, so that his way of life devolves on his own head, and vindicating the one who is right, giving him what his righteousness deserves.

33 “When your people Isra’el sin against you and in consequence are defeated by an enemy; then if they turn back to you, acknowledge your name, and pray and make their plea to you in this house; 34 hear in heaven, forgive the sin of your people Isra’el, and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

35 “When they sin against you, and in consequence the sky is shut, so that there is no rain; then, if they pray toward this place, acknowledge your name and turn from their sin when you have brought them low; 36 hear in heaven, forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Isra’el — since you keep teaching them the good way by which they should live — and send down rain on your land, which you have given your people as their inheritance.

37 “If there is famine in the land, or blight, windstorm, mildew, locusts or shearer-worms; or if their enemy comes to the land and besieges them in any of their cities — no matter what kind of plague or sickness it is; 38 then, regardless of what prayer or plea anyone among all your people Isra’el makes — for each individual will know what is plagueing his own conscience — and the person spreads out his hands toward this house; 39 hear in heaven where you live, and forgive, and act, and, since you know what is in each one’s heart, give each person what his conduct deserves (because you, and only you, know all human hearts), 40 so that they will fear you throughout the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

41 “Also the foreigner who does not belong to your people Isra’el — when he comes from a distant country because of your reputation 42 (for they will hear of your great reputation, your mighty hand and your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house; 43 then hear in heaven where you live, and act in accordance with everything about which the foreigner is calling to you; so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as does your people Isra’el, and so that they will know that this house which I have built bears your name.

44 “If your people go out to fight against their enemy, no matter by which way you send them, and they pray to Adonai toward the city you chose, toward the house I built for your name; 45 then, in heaven, hear their prayer and plea, and uphold their cause.

46 “If they sin against you — for there is no one who doesn’t sin — and you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that they carry them off captive to the land of their enemy, whether far away or nearby; 47 then, if they come to their senses in the land where they have been carried away captive, turn back and make their plea to you in the land of those who carried them off captive, saying, ‘We sinned, we acted wrongly, we behaved wickedly,’ 48 if, in the land of their enemies who carried them off captive, they return to you with all their heart and being and pray to you toward their own land, which you gave to their ancestors, toward the city you chose and toward the house I have built for your name; 49 then, in heaven where you live, hear their prayer and plea, uphold their cause, 50 and forgive your people who have sinned against you — forgive their transgressions which they have committed against you, and give them compassion in the sight of their captors, so that they will show compassion toward them; 51 for they are your people, your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of the flames of the iron furnace.

52 “May your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Isra’el, so that you will hear them whenever they cry out to you. 53 For you made a distinction between them and all the peoples of the earth by making them your inheritance, as you said through Moshe your servant when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Adonai Elohim.”

54 When Shlomo had finished praying all this prayer and plea to Adonai, he got up from in front of the altar of Adonai, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven, 55 stood up, and raised his voice to bless the whole community of Isra’el. He said, 56 “Blessed be Adonai, who has given rest to his people Isra’el, in accordance with everything he promised. Not one word has failed of his good promise, which he made through Moshe his servant. 57 May Adonai our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us. 58 In this way he will incline our hearts toward him, so that we will live according to his ways and observe his mitzvot, laws and rulings which he ordered our fathers to obey. 59 May these words of mine, which I have used in my plea before Adonai, be present with Adonai our God day and night, so that he will uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Isra’el day by day. 60 Then all the peoples of the earth will know that Adonai is God; there is no other. 61 So be wholehearted with Adonai our God, living by his laws and observing his mitzvot, as you are doing today.”

62 Then the king, together with all Isra’el, offered sacrifices before Adonai. 63 For the sacrifice of peace offerings which Shlomo offered to Adonai, he offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Thus the king and all the people of Isra’el dedicated the house of Adonai.

64 The same day, the king consecrated the center of the courtyard in front of the house of Adonai, because he had to offer the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings there. For the bronze altar before Adonai was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings.

65 So Shlomo celebrated the festival at that time. All Isra’el, a huge gathering [that had come all the way] from the entrance of Hamat to the Vadi [of Egypt], celebrated with him before Adonai our God for seven days and then for seven more days — fourteen days in all. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and returned to their tents full of joy and glad of heart for all the goodness Adonai had shown to David his servant and to Isra’el his people.

Essanduuko ya Mukama Ereetebwa mu Yeekaalu

(A)Awo Sulemaani n’ayita abakadde ba Isirayiri, n’abakulu b’ebika bonna, n’abaami b’ennyumba za Isirayiri bonna, okuggya essanduuko ey’endagaano ya Mukama mu Sayuuni ekibuga kya Dawudi, okugireeta e Yerusaalemi. (B)Bonna ne bakuŋŋaanira ewa Kabaka Sulemaani ku mbaga mu mwezi ogwa Esanimu[a] gwe mwezi ogw’omusanvu.

(C)Abakadde bonna aba Isirayiri bwe baatuuka, bakabona ne basitula essanduuko, (D)ne bagireeta, ne baleeterako n’Eweema ey’Okukuŋŋaanirangamu n’ebintu byonna ebitukuvu ebyalimu. (E)Bakabona n’Abaleevi ne babisitula, Kabaka Sulemaani n’abo abaali awamu naye, n’eggwanga lyonna erya Isirayiri eryali liri naye mu maaso g’essanduuko, ne bawaayo ebiweebwayo ebya ssaddaaka eby’endiga, n’ente, ebitaamanyibwa muwendo.

(F)Bakabona ne bayingiza essanduuko ey’endagaano ya Mukama mu kifo kyayo, mu kisenge eky’omunda, mu Kifo Ekitukuvu Ennyo, wansi w’ebiwaawaatiro bya bakerubi. Ebiwaawaatiro bya bakerubi byali byanjuluze ku kifo essanduuko we yateekebwa, ne bibikka ku ssanduuko ne ku misituliro gyayo. (G)Emisituliro gino gyali miwanvu nnyo nga n’okulabika girabikira mu kifo ekitukuvu mu maaso g’ekisenge ekitukuvu ennyo, naye nga tegirabika okuva ebweru; era gikyaliyo ne leero. (H)Temwali kintu mu ssanduuko okuggyako ebipande ebibiri eby’amayinja Musa bye yateekamu e Kolebu, Mukama bwe yalagaana endagaano n’abaana ba Isirayiri, nga bavudde mu nsi y’e Misiri.

10 (I)Awo bakabona bwe baava mu kifo ekitukuvu, ekire ne kibuna yeekaalu ya Mukama, 11 bakabona n’okuyinza ne batayinza kuweereza olw’ekire, kubanga ekitiibwa kya Mukama kyali kibunye mu yeekaalu.

12 (J)Awo Sulemaani n’agamba nti, “Mukama yayogera nti anaabeeranga mu kire ekikutte. 13 (K)Nkuzimbidde yeekaalu ey’ekitiibwa, ekifo ky’onoobeerangamu emirembe gyonna.”

14 (L)Ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri bwe kyali kiyimiridde awo, kabaka n’abakyukira n’abasabira omukisa. 15 (M)N’ayogera nti,

Mukama yeebazibwe, Katonda wa Isirayiri, atuukirizza n’omukono gwe bye yasuubiza Dawudi kitange ne bye yayogerera mu ye. 16 (N)Yayogera nti, ‘Okuva ku lunaku lwe naggyirako abantu bange Isirayiri mu Misiri, seerobozanga kibuga na kimu mu bika byonna ebya Isirayiri okuzimbamu yeekaalu, naye neeroboza Dawudi okufuga abantu bange Isirayiri.’

17 (O)“Era kyali mu mutima gwa Dawudi kitange okuzimbira erinnya lya Mukama, Katonda wa Isirayiri yeekaalu. 18 Naye Mukama n’agamba Dawudi kitange nti, ‘Kubanga kyali mu mutima gwo okuzimbira erinnya lyange eyeekaalu, walowooza bulungi. 19 (P)Naye si ggwe olinzimbira yeekaalu, mutabani wo alikuzaalirwa, ow’omusaayi gwo yennyini, y’alizimbira erinnya lyange eyeekaalu.’

20 (Q)Mukama atuukirizza kye yasuubiza, ne nsikira Dawudi kitange, n’okutuula ne ntuula ku ntebe ey’obwakabaka bwa Isirayiri, nga Mukama bwe yasuubiza, era nzimbidde erinnya lya Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri eyeekaalu. 21 Ntaddewo ekifo ky’essanduuko, omuli endagaano ya Mukama gye yakola ne bajjajjaffe, ng’abaggya mu nsi y’e Misiri.”

Okusaba kwa Sulemaani okw’Okuwaayo Yeekaalu eri Mukama

22 (R)Awo Sulemaani n’ayimirira mu maaso g’ekyoto kya Mukama ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri nga kiraba, n’ayanjuluza emikono gye eri eggulu, 23 (S)n’ayogera nti,

“Ayi Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri, tewali Katonda akufaanana mu ggulu waggulu oba wansi ku nsi, gwe akuuma endagaano yo ey’okwagala n’okuuma n’abaddu bo abatambulira mu maaso go n’emitima gyabwe gyonna. 24 Okuumye ekisuubizo kyo eri omuddu wo Dawudi kitange; wasuubiza n’akamwa ko era okituukirizza n’omukono gwo, nga bwe kiri leero.

25 (T)“Kaakano Mukama, Katonda wa Isirayiri, otuukirize bye wasuubiza omuddu wo Dawudi kitange, bwe wagamba nti, ‘Abaana bo bwe baneegenderezanga mu buli kye banaakolanga, ne batambuliranga mu maaso gange nga bw’okoze, wanaabangawo ow’omu lulyo lwo anaatuulanga ku ntebe ey’obwakabaka bwa Isirayiri mu maaso gange.’ 26 (U)Era kaakano, Ayi Katonda wa Isirayiri, ekigambo kyo kye wasuubiza omuddu wo Dawudi kitange, okituukirize.

27 (V)“Naye ddala Katonda anaabeeranga ku nsi? Laba, eggulu n’eggulu ly’eggulu terikumala, ne yeekaalu eno toyinza kugigyamu. 28 Kaakano osseeyo omwoyo eri okusaba kw’omuddu wo n’okwegayirira kwe, Ayi Mukama Katonda wange. Owulire okukaaba n’okusaba omuddu wo kw’asaba mu maaso go leero. 29 (W)Amaaso go gatunuulirenga yeekaalu eno emisana n’ekiro, ekifo kino kye wayogerako nti, ‘Erinnya lyange linaabeeranga omwo,’ okuwulira okusaba kw’omuddu wo kw’asabira ekifo kino. 30 (X)Owulire okwegayirira kw’omuddu wo, n’okw’abantu bo Isirayiri, bwe banasabanga nga batunuulidde ekifo kino. Owulire okuva mu ggulu, ekifo gy’obeera, era bw’otuwulira, tukwegayiridde otusonyiwe.

31 (Y)“Omuntu bw’anaasobyanga muliraanwa we, ne kimugwanira okulayira, n’ajja n’alayirira mu maaso g’ekyoto mu yeekaalu eno, 32 (Z)owulire okuva mu ggulu, era omukole nga bw’olaba. Osale omusango wakati wa baddu bo, era obonereze oyo omusango gwe gusinze nga bwe kimusaanidde. Olangirire nti atasobezza taliiko musango, ekyo kinaakakasa nti taliiko musango.

33 (AA)“Abantu bo Isirayiri bwe banaawaangulibwanga omulabe olw’ebibi byabwe, ne bakyuka ne badda gy’oli, ne baatula erinnya lyo, ne basaba ne bakwegayirira mu yeekaalu muno, 34 kale owulirenga ng’oli mu ggulu, era osonyiwenga abantu bo Isirayiri olw’ebibi byabwe, era obakomyengawo mu nsi gye wawa bajjajjaabwe.

35 (AB)“Eggulu bwe linaggalwangawo ne wataba nkuba, olw’ebibi byabwe, era bwe banasabanga nga batunuulira ekifo kino ne baatula erinnya lyo ne bakyuka okuleka ekibi kyabwe, olw’okubabonereza, 36 (AC)kale owulirenga ng’oli mu ggulu, era obasonyiwenga ekibi ky’abaddu bo, abantu bo Isirayiri. Obayigirize ekkubo etuufu ery’okutambulirangamu, era otonnyese enkuba ku nsi gye wawa abantu bo ng’omugabo gwabwe.

37 (AD)“Bwe wanaabangawo enjala mu nsi, oba kawumpuli, oba okugengewala oba bukuku, oba enzige, oba omulabe ng’abazingizza mu bibuga byabwe, endwadde yonna ne bweneefaanananga etya, 38 omuntu yenna ku bantu bo bw’anaasabiranga ekintu kyonna, buli omu n’amanya endwadde ey’omu mutima gwe, era n’ayanjuluza emikono gye eri yeekaalu eno, kale owulirenga ng’oli mu ggulu, ekifo gy’obeera. 39 (AE)Osonyiwenga era okolenga buli muntu ng’ebikolwa bye bwe biri, kubanga ggwe wekka ggwe omanyi, emitima gy’abantu bonna, 40 (AF)balyoke bakutyenga ennaku zonna ze banaabeeranga mu nsi gye wawa bajjajjaffe.

41 “Ebikwata ku munnaggwanga atali wa mu bantu bo Isirayiri, naye ng’avudde mu nsi ey’ewala olw’erinnya lyo, 42 (AG)kubanga abantu baliwulira erinnya lyo ekkulu n’omukono gwo ogw’amaanyi, bw’anajjanga n’asaba ng’atunuulidde yeekaalu eno; 43 (AH)owulirenga ng’oli mu ggulu, ekifo gy’obeera, era okolenga buli kintu kyonna omunaggwanga oyo ky’anaakusabanga, abantu bonna ab’omu nsi bamanye erinnya lyo era bakutyenga, ng’abantu bo Isirayiri bwe bakola, era bamanyenga nti Ennyumba eno gye nzimbye, etuumiddwa erinnya lyo.

44 “Abantu bo bwe banaatabaalanga abalabe baabwe gy’onoobasindikanga ne basaba Mukama nga batunuulidde ekibuga kye weeroboza ne yeekaalu gye nzimbidde erinnya lyo, 45 kale owulirenga okusaba kwabwe n’okwegayirira kwabwe ng’oli mu ggulu, otegeere ensonga zaabwe.

46 (AI)“Bwe banaayonoonanga mu maaso go, kubanga tewali muntu atasobyanga, n’obasunguwalira n’obagabula eri omulabe, ne batwalibwa mu nsi eyeewala oba eyokumpi; 47 (AJ)era bwe banaakyusanga emitima gyabwe nga bali mu nsi gye baabatwala ne babasibira eyo, ne beenenya era ne bakwegayiririra mu nsi y’abo abaabatwala nga boogera nti, ‘Twayonoona, twakola ebikyamu era ne tukola ekyejo;’ 48 (AK)bwe banaakukyukiranga n’omutima gwabwe gwonna n’emmeeme yaabwe yonna mu nsi ey’abalabe baabwe abaabawamba, ne bakusaba nga batunuulidde ensi gye wawa bajjajjaabwe, ekibuga kye weeroboza ne yeekaalu gye nzimbidde erinnya lyo; 49 kale owulirenga okusaba kwabwe n’okwegayirira kwabwe ng’oli mu ggulu ekifo gy’obeera, era otegeerenga ensonga yaabwe. 50 (AL)Osonyiwenga abantu bo abakusobezza, era obasonyiwenga ebibi byabwe byonna, era abo abaabawangula babakwatirwe ekisa, 51 (AM)kubanga bantu bo era gwe mugabo gwo, be waggya mu Misiri, mu kyoto ekisaanuusa ekyuma.

52 “Ontunuulize amaaso ag’ekisa olabe okwegayirira kw’abantu bo Isirayiri, era obawulirenga buli lwe banaakukaabiriranga. 53 (AN)Ayi Mukama Ayinzabyonna gwe walonda abantu bo mu mawanga gonna ag’omu nsi okuba ababo, nga bwe wayogerera mu muddu wo Musa, bwe waggya bajjajjaffe mu Misiri.”

54 Awo Sulemaani bwe yamala okusaba n’okwegayiririra abantu eri Mukama, n’asituka okuva we yali afukamidde ng’emikono gye ajanjuluza eri eggulu, mu maaso g’ekyoto kya Mukama. 55 (AO)N’ayimirira n’asabira ekibiina kyonna ekya Isirayiri omukisa mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka ng’agamba nti,

56 (AP)Mukama yeebazibwe awadde abantu be Isirayiri okuwummula nga bwe yasuubiza. Tewali kigambo na kimu ekitatuukiridde ku ebyo ebirungi bye yasuubiza omuddu we Musa. 57 (AQ)Mukama Katonda waffe abeere wamu naffe nga bwe yali ne bajjajjaffe, era aleme okutuleka wadde okutwabulira. 58 (AR)Akyuse emitima gyaffe tudde gyali, okutambuliranga mu makubo ge gonna, n’okukwatanga ebiragiro bye, n’amateeka ge, n’ebigambo bye n’emisango gye bye yawa bajjajjaffe. 59 N’ebigambo byange bino bye nsabye mu maaso ga Mukama, bibeerenga kumpi ne Mukama Katonda waffe emisana n’ekiro, alyoke awanirire ensonga y’abantu be Isirayiri, ng’ebyetaago ebya buli lunaku, 60 (AS)abantu bonna ab’oku nsi bategeere nga Mukama ye Katonda era tewali mulala. 61 (AT)Naye emitima gyammwe giteekwa okunywerera ku Mukama Katonda waffe, nga mutambulira mu mateeka ge, n’okugondera ebiragiro bye, nga bwe mukola leero.”

Okuwonga kwa Yeekaalu

62 Awo Kabaka ne Isirayiri yonna ne bawaayo ssaddaaka mu maaso ga Mukama. 63 Sulemaani yawaayo ssaddaaka ey’ebiweebwayo olw’emirembe eri Mukama, era bino bye yawaayo: ente emitwalo ebiri, n’endiga n’embuzi emitwalo kkumi n’ebiri. Bwe batyo Kabaka n’Abayisirayiri bonna ne bawonga yeekaalu ya Mukama.

64 (AU)Ku lunaku olwo Kabaka kwe yatukuliza oluggya olwa wakati mu maaso ga yeekaalu ya Mukama, era eyo n’aweerayo ebiweebwayo ebyokebwa, n’eby’obutta, n’amasavu g’ebiweebwayo olw’emirembe, kubanga ekyoto eky’ekikomo mu maaso ga Mukama kyali kitono nnyo okugyaako ebiweebwayo ebyokebwa, n’ebiweebwayo eby’obutta, n’amasavu g’ebiweebwayo olw’emirembe.

65 (AV)Sulemaani ne Isirayiri yonna wamu naye, ne batuukiriza embaga eyo mu biro ebyo, ekibiina ekinene ddala mu maaso ga Mukama Katonda waffe, nga beegatiddwako abantu abaava ku mulyango gwa Kamasi n’abaava ku mukutu gw’e Misiri, okumala ennaku kkumi na nnya. 66 Ku lunaku olwaddirira abantu ne basabira Kabaka omukisa, n’abasiibula ne baddayo ewaabwe nga basanyuka era nga bajaguza mu mutima olw’ebirungi byonna Mukama bye yali akoledde Dawudi omuddu we n’abantu be Isirayiri.

Footnotes

  1. 8:2 Esanimu Omwezi gwa Esanimu ly’ebbanga wakati wa Sebutemba ne Okitobba.

The Ark Brought to the Temple(A)

Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs(B) of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark(C) of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.(D) All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival(E) in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.(F)

When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests(G) took up the ark, and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting(H) and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites(I) carried them up, and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing(J) so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.

The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant(K) to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place,(L) and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.(M) The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed(N) the ark and its carrying poles. These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.(O) There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets(P) that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud(Q) filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service(R) because of the cloud, for the glory(S) of the Lord filled his temple.

12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;(T) 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell(U) forever.”

14 While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed(V) them. 15 Then he said:

“Praise be to the Lord,(W) the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David. For he said, 16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt,(X) I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name(Y) might be there, but I have chosen(Z) David(AA) to rule my people Israel.’

17 “My father David had it in his heart(AB) to build a temple(AC) 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(AD) 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.’(AE)

20 “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded(AF) David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built(AG) 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.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(AH)

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands(AI) toward heaven 23 and said:

Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like(AJ) you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love(AK) 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(AL) 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(AM) your servant David my father come true.

27 “But will God really dwell(AN) on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven,(AO) cannot contain(AP) 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(AQ) toward(AR) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name(AS) 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(AT) toward this place. Hear(AU) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.(AV)

31 “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath(AW) before your altar in this temple, 32 then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.(AX)

33 “When your people Israel have been defeated(AY) by an enemy because they have sinned(AZ) against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple,(BA) 34 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

35 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain(BB) because your people have sinned(BC) 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, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach(BD) them the right way(BE) to live, and send rain(BF) on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

37 “When famine(BG) or plague(BH) comes to the land, or blight(BI) or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers,(BJ) or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 38 and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands(BK) toward this temple— 39 then hear(BL) from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive(BM) and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know(BN) their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), 40 so that they will fear(BO) you all the time they live in the land(BP) you gave our ancestors.

41 “As for the foreigner(BQ) who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— 42 for they will hear(BR) of your great name and your mighty hand(BS) and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know(BT) your name and fear(BU) you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.(BV)

44 “When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray(BW) to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, 45 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.(BX)

46 “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin(BY)—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive(BZ) to their own lands, far away or near; 47 and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead(CA) with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’;(CB) 48 and if they turn back(CC) to you with all their heart(CD) and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray(CE) to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple(CF) I have built for your Name;(CG) 49 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. 50 And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy;(CH) 51 for they are your people and your inheritance,(CI) whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace.(CJ)

52 “May your eyes be open(CK) to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you.(CL) 53 For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance,(CM) just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”

54 When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55 He stood and blessed(CN) the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:

56 “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest(CO) to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises(CP) he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake(CQ) us. 58 May he turn our hearts(CR) to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60 so that all the peoples(CS) of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.(CT) 61 And may your hearts(CU) be fully committed(CV) to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

The Dedication of the Temple(CW)

62 Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices(CX) before the Lord. 63 Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated(CY) the temple of the Lord.

64 On that same day the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the Lord, and there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat(CZ) of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar(DA) that stood before the Lord was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings.(DB)

65 So Solomon observed the festival(DC) at that time, and all Israel with him—a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath(DD) to the Wadi of Egypt.(DE) They celebrated it before the Lord our God for seven days and seven days more, fourteen days in all. 66 On the following day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good(DF) things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel.