2 Chronicles 6:18-31

New International Version

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.