18 “But (A)will God really dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, (B)heaven and the [a]highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built! 19 Nevertheless, turn Your attention to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, Lord, my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You; 20 that Your (C)eye will be open toward this house day and night, toward (D)the place of which You have said that You would put Your name there, to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place. 21 Listen to the pleadings of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; (E)hear and forgive.

22 “If someone sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, 23 then hear from heaven and take action and judge Your servants, [b](F)punishing the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by [c]repaying him according to his righteousness.

24 “If Your people Israel are [d]defeated before an enemy because (G)they have sinned against You, and they return to You and praise Your name, and pray and plead before You in this house, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You have given to them and to their fathers.

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

28 “If there is a (J)famine in the land, if there is a plague, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their [e]cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is, 29 whatever prayer or plea is made by anyone or by all Your people Israel, [f]each knowing his own affliction and his own pain, and spreading his hands toward this house, 30 then hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know—(K)for You alone know the hearts of the sons of mankind— 31 so that they may [g]fear You, to walk in Your ways [h]as long as they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:18 Lit heaven of heavens
  2. 2 Chronicles 6:23 Lit returning
  3. 2 Chronicles 6:23 Lit giving
  4. 2 Chronicles 6:24 Lit struck
  5. 2 Chronicles 6:28 Lit gates
  6. 2 Chronicles 6:29 Lit whoever shall know
  7. 2 Chronicles 6:31 Or revere
  8. 2 Chronicles 6:31 Lit all the days that they live on the face of the land

18 “But will God really dwell(A) on earth with humans? The heavens,(B) 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(C) be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name(D) there. May you hear(E) 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.(F)

22 “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath(G) 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(H) 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(I) 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(J) 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(K) 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(L) 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,(M) and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart),(N) 31 so that they will fear you(O) and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

Read full chapter