Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

Then (A)Solomon spoke:

“The Lord said He would dwell in the (B)dark cloud.
I have surely built You an exalted house,
And (C)a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech upon Completion of the Work(D)

Then the king turned around and (E)blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, (F)saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. (G)Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I (H)have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ Now (I)it was in the heart of my father David to build a [a]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My (J)name.’ 10 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and (K)sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 11 And there I have put the ark, (L)in which is the covenant of the Lord which He made with the children of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(M)

12 (N)Then [b]Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands 13 (for Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven); 14 and he said: “Lord God of Israel, (O)there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your (P)covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 15 (Q)You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 16 Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, (R)‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, (S)only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17 And now, O Lord God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David.

18 “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? (T)Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this [c]temple which I have built! 19 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: 20 that Your eyes may be (U)open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes (V)toward this place. 21 And may You 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, (W)forgive.

22 “If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an (X)oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 23 then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his (Y)righteousness.

24 “Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an (Z)enemy because they have sinned against You, and return and confess Your name, and pray and make 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 which You gave to them and their fathers.

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

28 “When there (AB)is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever (AC)sickness there is; 29 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: 30 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone (AD)know the (AE)hearts of the sons of men), 31 that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.

32 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, (AF)who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple; 33 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that [d]this temple which I have built is called by Your name.

34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

36 “When they sin against You (for there is (AG)no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them (AH)captive to a land far or near; 37 yet when they [e]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’; 38 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the (AI)city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name: 39 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You. 40 Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be (AJ)open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.

41 “Now(AK) therefore,
Arise, O Lord God, to Your (AL)resting place,
You and the ark of Your strength.
Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
And let Your saints (AM)rejoice in goodness.

42 “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed;
(AN)Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:7 Lit. house, and so in vv. 8–10
  2. 2 Chronicles 6:12 Lit. he
  3. 2 Chronicles 6:18 Lit. house
  4. 2 Chronicles 6:33 Lit. Your name is called upon this house
  5. 2 Chronicles 6:37 Lit. bring back to their hearts

Solomon Blesses the People

(A)Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. But I have built you (B)an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; (C)but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, (D)and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ (E)Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas (F)it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.’ 10 Now the Lord has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and I have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 And there I have set the ark, (G)in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

Solomon's Prayer of Dedication

12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 (H)Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits[a] long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. (I)Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, 14 and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, (J)there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, (K)keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, 15 (L)who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. 16 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, (M)‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, (N)if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’ 17 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.

18 “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, (O)heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, 20 (P)that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 21 And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, (Q)and when you hear, forgive.

22 “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house, 23 then hear from heaven and act and judge your servants, repaying the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

24 “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 25 (R)then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to them and to their fathers.

26 (S)“When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict[b] them, 27 (T)then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way[c] in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

28 (U)“If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, 29 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands toward this house, 30 (V)then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, (W)for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind, 31 that they may fear you and walk in your ways all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers.

32 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house, 33 hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house (X)that I have built is called by your name.

34 “If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause.

36 “If they sin against you—(Y)for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near, 37 yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ 38 if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 39 then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. 40 Now, O my God, (Z)let your eyes be open (AA)and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.

41 “And now arise, O Lord God, and go to your (AB)resting place,
    you and the ark of your might.
Let your priests, O Lord God, be (AC)clothed with salvation,
    and let your saints (AD)rejoice in your goodness.
42 O Lord God, (AE)do not turn away the face of your anointed one!
    (AF)Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:13 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  2. 2 Chronicles 6:26 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew answer
  3. 2 Chronicles 6:27 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate (compare 1 Kings 8:36); Hebrew toward the good way

Solomon’s Dedication of the Temple

(A)Then Solomon said,

“The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.
I have built You a lofty house,
And a place for Your dwelling forever.”

Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. He said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and fulfilled it with His hands, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, so that My name might be there, nor did I choose a man to be the leader over My people Israel; but (B)I have chosen Jerusalem so that My name might be there, and I (C)have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ (D)Now it was [a]in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was [b]in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was [c]in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who [d]will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’ 10 Now the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord [e]promised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark (E)in which is the covenant of the Lord, which He made with the sons of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

12 Then he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 (F)For Solomon had made a bronze platform, [f]five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the courtyard; and he stood on it, (G)knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said, “Lord, God of Israel, (H)there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, (I)keeping [g]Your covenant and [h]Your faithfulness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart; 15 (J)You who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You [i]promised him; You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 16 Now then, Lord, God of Israel, keep to Your servant David, my father, that which You [j]promised him, saying, ‘[k](K)You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay attention to their way, to walk in My Law as you have walked before Me.’ 17 Now then, Lord, God of Israel, let Your word be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant David.

18 “But (L)will God really dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, (M)heaven and the [l]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 (N)eye will be open toward this house day and night, toward (O)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; (P)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, [m](Q)punishing the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by [n]repaying him according to his righteousness.

24 “If Your people Israel are [o]defeated before an enemy because (R)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 (S)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, (T)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 (U)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 [p]cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is, 29 whatever prayer or plea is made by anyone or by all Your people Israel, [q]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—(V)for You alone know the hearts of the sons of mankind— 31 so that they may [r]fear You, to walk in Your ways [s]as long as they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.

32 “Also concerning (W)the foreigner who is not from Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country on account of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house, 33 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and [t]fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that [u]this house which I have built is (X)called by Your name.

34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their pleading, and maintain their cause.

36 “When they sin against You ((Y)for there is no one who does not sin), and You are angry with them and turn them over to an enemy, so that [v]they take them away captive to a land far off or near, 37 if they [w]take it to heart in the land where they are taken captive, and repent and plead to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and have acted wickedly’; 38 (Z)if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been taken captive, and pray toward their land which You have given to their fathers and the city which You have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Your name, 39 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer and pleadings, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.

40 “Now, my God, please, (AA)let Your eyes be open and (AB)Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

41 (AC)Now then arise, Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might; let Your priests, Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good.

42 Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your anointed; (AD)remember Your faithfulness to Your servant David.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:7 Lit with
  2. 2 Chronicles 6:8 Lit with
  3. 2 Chronicles 6:8 Lit with
  4. 2 Chronicles 6:9 Lit will come forth from your loins
  5. 2 Chronicles 6:10 Lit spoke
  6. 2 Chronicles 6:13 About 7.5 ft. long and wide and 4.5 ft. high or 2.3 m and 1.4 m
  7. 2 Chronicles 6:14 Or the
  8. 2 Chronicles 6:14 Or the
  9. 2 Chronicles 6:15 Lit spoke to
  10. 2 Chronicles 6:16 Lit have spoken to
  11. 2 Chronicles 6:16 Lit There shall not be cut off to you a man from before Me
  12. 2 Chronicles 6:18 Lit heaven of heavens
  13. 2 Chronicles 6:23 Lit returning
  14. 2 Chronicles 6:23 Lit giving
  15. 2 Chronicles 6:24 Lit struck
  16. 2 Chronicles 6:28 Lit gates
  17. 2 Chronicles 6:29 Lit whoever shall know
  18. 2 Chronicles 6:31 Or revere
  19. 2 Chronicles 6:31 Lit all the days that they live on the face of the land
  20. 2 Chronicles 6:33 Or revere
  21. 2 Chronicles 6:33 Lit Your name is called upon this house
  22. 2 Chronicles 6:36 Lit their captors lead them captive
  23. 2 Chronicles 6:37 Lit return to their heart

Dedicación del templo

(A)Entonces Salomón dijo:

El Señor ha dicho que Él moraría en la densa nube.
Yo, pues, te he edificado una casa majestuosa,
un lugar donde mores para siempre.

Después el rey se volvió[a] y bendijo a toda la asamblea de Israel, mientras toda la asamblea de Israel estaba de pie,

y dijo: Bendito sea el Señor, Dios de Israel, que habló por su boca a mi padre David y por su mano lo ha cumplido, cuando dijo: «Desde el día en que saqué a mi pueblo de la tierra de Egipto, no escogí ninguna ciudad de entre todas las tribus de Israel en la cual edificar una casa para que estuviera allí mi nombre, ni escogí a hombre alguno por príncipe sobre mi pueblo Israel; mas escogí a Jerusalén(B) para que mi nombre estuviera allí, y escogí a David para que estuviera sobre mi pueblo Israel(C)». Y mi padre David tuvo en su[b] corazón edificar una casa al nombre del Señor(D), Dios de Israel. Pero el Señor dijo a mi padre David: «Por cuanto tuviste en[c] tu corazón edificar una casa a mi nombre, bien hiciste en desearlo en[d] tu corazón. Sin embargo, tú no edificarás la casa, sino que tu hijo que te nacerá[e], él edificará la casa a mi nombre». 10 Ahora el Señor ha cumplido la palabra que había dicho; pues yo me he levantado en lugar de mi padre David y me he sentado en el trono de Israel, como el Señor prometió[f], y he edificado la casa al nombre del Señor, Dios de Israel. 11 Y he puesto allí el arca, en la cual está el pacto que el Señor hizo con los hijos de Israel(E).

12 Entonces Salomón se puso delante del altar del Señor en presencia de toda la asamblea de Israel y extendió las manos[g]. 13 Porque Salomón había hecho un estrado(F) de bronce de cinco codos[h] de largo, cinco codos de ancho y tres codos de alto, y lo había puesto en medio del atrio; se puso sobre él, se hincó de rodillas en presencia de toda la asamblea de Israel y extendiendo las manos[i] al cielo(G), 14 dijo: Oh Señor, Dios de Israel, no hay Dios como tú ni en el cielo ni en la tierra(H), que guardas el pacto y muestras misericordia(I) a tus siervos que andan delante de ti con todo su corazón; 15 que has cumplido[j] con tu siervo David mi padre lo que le prometiste[k]; ciertamente has hablado con tu boca y lo has cumplido con tu mano, como sucede hoy(J). 16 Ahora pues, oh Señor, Dios de Israel, cumple[l] con tu siervo David mi padre lo que le prometiste[m], diciendo: «No te faltará quién[n] se siente en el trono de Israel, con tal que tus hijos guarden sus caminos para andar en mi ley como tú has andado delante de mí(K)». 17 Ahora pues, oh Señor, Dios de Israel, que se cumpla la palabra que hablaste a tu siervo David.

18 Pero, ¿morará verdaderamente Dios con los hombres en la tierra? He aquí, los cielos y los cielos de los cielos(L) no te pueden contener, cuánto menos esta casa que yo he edificado(M). 19 No obstante, atiende a la oración de tu siervo y a su súplica, oh Señor Dios mío, para que oigas el clamor y la oración que tu siervo hace[o] delante de ti. 20 Que tus ojos estén abiertos día y noche(N) sobre[p] esta casa, sobre[q] el lugar del cual has dicho que pondrías[r] allí tu nombre, para que oigas la oración que tu siervo hará[s] sobre[t] este lugar(O). 21 Y escucha las súplicas de tu siervo y de tu pueblo Israel cuando oren hacia este lugar; escucha tú desde el lugar de tu morada, desde los cielos; escucha y perdona(P).

22 Si alguno peca contra su prójimo, y se le exige juramento[u], y viene y jura delante de tu altar en esta casa, 23 escucha tú desde los cielos y obra y juzga a tus siervos, castigando[v] al impío, haciendo recaer su conducta sobre su cabeza, y justificando al justo dándole conforme a su justicia(Q).

24 Y si tu pueblo Israel es derrotado[w] delante del enemigo por haber pecado contra ti(R), y se vuelven a ti y confiesan tu nombre, y oran y hacen súplica delante de ti en esta casa, 25 escucha tú desde los cielos y perdona el pecado de tu pueblo Israel, y hazlos volver a la tierra que diste a ellos y a sus padres.

26 Cuando los cielos estén cerrados y no haya lluvia(S) por haber ellos pecado contra ti, y oren hacia este lugar y confiesen tu nombre, y se vuelvan de su pecado cuando tú los aflijas, 27 escucha tú desde los cielos y perdona el pecado de tus siervos y de tu pueblo Israel; sí, enséñales el buen camino por el que deben andar(T), y envía lluvia sobre tu tierra, la que diste a tu pueblo por heredad.

28 Si hay hambre en la tierra, si hay pestilencia, si hay tizón o añublo, langosta o saltamontes, si sus enemigos los sitian en la tierra de sus ciudades[x], cualquier plaga o cualquier enfermedad que haya(U), 29 toda oración o toda súplica que sea hecha por cualquier hombre o por todo tu pueblo Israel, conociendo[y] cada cual su aflicción[z] y su dolor, y extendiendo sus manos[aa] hacia esta casa, 30 escucha tú desde los cielos, el lugar de tu morada, y perdona y da a cada uno conforme a todos sus caminos, ya que conoces su corazón (porque solo tú conoces el corazón de los hijos de los hombres(V)), 31 para que te teman[ab] y anden en tus caminos todos los días que vivan sobre la faz de la tierra que diste a nuestros padres.

32 También en cuanto al extranjero que no es de tu pueblo Israel, cuando venga de una tierra lejana a causa de tu gran nombre y de tu mano poderosa y de tu brazo extendido, cuando ellos vengan a orar a esta casa(W), 33 escucha tú desde los cielos, desde el lugar de tu morada, y haz conforme a todo lo que el extranjero te pida, para que todos los pueblos de la tierra conozcan tu nombre, para que te teman[ac], como te teme tu pueblo Israel, y para que sepan que tu nombre es invocado(X) sobre esta casa que he edificado.

34 Cuando salga tu pueblo a la batalla contra sus enemigos, por cualquier camino que los envíes, y oren a ti vueltos hacia[ad] esta ciudad que has escogido, y hacia la casa que he edificado a tu nombre, 35 escucha desde los cielos su oración y su súplica, y hazles justicia.

36 Cuando pequen contra ti (pues no hay hombre que no peque(Y)) y estés airado contra ellos, y los entregues delante del enemigo, y estos[ae] los lleven cautivos a una tierra, lejana o cercana, 37 si recapacitan[af] en la tierra adonde hayan sido llevados cautivos, y se arrepienten y te suplican en la tierra de su cautiverio, diciendo: «Hemos pecado, hemos cometido iniquidad y hemos obrado perversamente»; 38 si se vuelven a ti con todo su corazón y con toda su alma(Z) en la tierra de su cautiverio adonde hayan sido llevados cautivos, y oran vueltos hacia la tierra que diste a sus padres, hacia la ciudad que has escogido y hacia la casa que he edificado a tu nombre, 39 escucha tú desde los cielos, desde el lugar de tu morada, su oración y sus súplicas, hazles justicia y perdona a tu pueblo que ha pecado contra ti.

40 Ahora, oh Dios mío, te ruego que tus ojos estén abiertos y tus oídos atentos a la oración(AA) elevada en este lugar(AB). 41 Ahora pues, levántate, oh Señor Dios, hacia tu reposo, tú y el arca de tu poder; que tus sacerdotes, oh Señor Dios, se revistan de salvación y tus santos se regocijen(AC) en lo que es bueno. 42 Oh Señor Dios, no rechaces el rostro de tu ungido; acuérdate de tus misericordias para con tu siervo David(AD).

Footnotes

  1. 2 Crónicas 6:3 Lit., volvió su rostro
  2. 2 Crónicas 6:7 Lit., con el
  3. 2 Crónicas 6:8 Lit., con
  4. 2 Crónicas 6:8 Lit., tenerlo con
  5. 2 Crónicas 6:9 Lit., saldrá de tus lomos
  6. 2 Crónicas 6:10 Lit., habló
  7. 2 Crónicas 6:12 Lit., palmas
  8. 2 Crónicas 6:13 Un codo equivale aprox. a 45 cm.
  9. 2 Crónicas 6:13 Lit., palmas
  10. 2 Crónicas 6:15 Lit., guardado
  11. 2 Crónicas 6:15 Lit., hablaste
  12. 2 Crónicas 6:16 Lit., guarda
  13. 2 Crónicas 6:16 Lit., hablaste
  14. 2 Crónicas 6:16 Lit., No te será cortado hombre de delante de mí que
  15. 2 Crónicas 6:19 Lit., ora
  16. 2 Crónicas 6:20 Lit., hacia
  17. 2 Crónicas 6:20 Lit., hacia
  18. 2 Crónicas 6:20 Lit., para poner
  19. 2 Crónicas 6:20 Lit., orará
  20. 2 Crónicas 6:20 Lit., hacia
  21. 2 Crónicas 6:22 Lit., se le impone juramento, para hacerle jurar
  22. 2 Crónicas 6:23 Lit., devolviendo
  23. 2 Crónicas 6:24 Lit., herido
  24. 2 Crónicas 6:28 Lit., puertas
  25. 2 Crónicas 6:29 Lit., que reconozca
  26. 2 Crónicas 6:29 Lit., plaga
  27. 2 Crónicas 6:29 Lit., palmas
  28. 2 Crónicas 6:31 O, reverencien
  29. 2 Crónicas 6:33 O, reverencien
  30. 2 Crónicas 6:34 Lit., en dirección a
  31. 2 Crónicas 6:36 Lit., y sus captores
  32. 2 Crónicas 6:37 Lit., vuelven su corazón

Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;(A) I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.(B)

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

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, ‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem(C) for my Name(D) to be there, and I have chosen David(E) to rule my people Israel.’

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

10 “The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant(G) of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(H)(I)

12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Now he had made a bronze platform,(J) five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high,[a] and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down(K) before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said:

Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you(L) in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love(M) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 15 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised(N) and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

16 “Now, Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail(O) 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 according to my law,(P) as you have done.’ 17 And now, Lord, the God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.

18 “But will God really dwell(Q) on earth with humans? The heavens,(R) 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(S) be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name(T) there. May you hear(U) 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.(V)

22 “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath(W) 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(X) 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(Y) 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(Z) 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(AA) 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(AB) 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,(AC) and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart),(AD) 31 so that they will fear you(AE) and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

32 “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come(AF) from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand(AG) and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, 33 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner(AH) asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.

34 “When your people go to war against their enemies,(AI) wherever you send them, and when they pray(AJ) to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

36 “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin(AK)—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive(AL) to a land far away or near; 37 and if they have a change of heart(AM) in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’; 38 and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; 39 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive(AN) your people, who have sinned against you.

40 “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive(AO) to the prayers offered in this place.

41 “Now arise,(AP) Lord God, and come to your resting place,(AQ)
    you and the ark of your might.
May your priests,(AR) Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
    may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness.(AS)
42 Lord God, do not reject your anointed one.(AT)
    Remember the great love(AU) promised to David your servant.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 6:13 That is, about 7 1/2 feet long and wide and 4 1/2 feet high or about 2.3 meters long and wide and 1.4 meters high