⁴ But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: ⁵ “Go to my servant David and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you to build me a house to dwell in?^{(A) 6} From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as my dwelling.^{(B) 7} In all my journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever spoken a word to one of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’

⁸ “So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.^{(C) 9} I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a great name^(D) for you like that of the greatest on the earth.^{(E) 10} I will designate a place^(F) for my people Israel and plant them,^(G) so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done ¹¹ ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel.^(H) I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord himself will make a house for you. ¹² When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.^{(I) 13} He is the one who will build a house for my name,^(J) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^{(K) 14} I will be his father, and he will be my son.^(L) When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and blows from mortals. ¹⁵ But my faithful love will never leave him^(M) as it did when I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.^{(N) 16} Your house and kingdom will endure before me^[a] forever,^(O) and your throne will be established forever.’”^(P)

¹⁷ Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David.