⁴ But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, ⁵ “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: ^(A)“Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? ⁶ For I have not dwelt in a house ^(B)since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in ^(C)a tent and in a tabernacle. ⁷ Wherever I have ^(D)moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded ^(E)to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’ ⁸ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: ^(F)“I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. ⁹ And ^(G)I have been with you wherever you have gone, ^(H)and have ^[a]cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. ¹⁰ Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will ^(I)plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; ^(J)nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, ^11 (K)since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord ^[b]tells you ^(L)that He will make you a ^[c]house.

^12 (M)“When your days are fulfilled and you ^(N)rest with your fathers, ^(O)I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ^13 (P)He shall build a house for My name, and I will ^(Q)establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ^14 (R)I will be his Father, and he shall be ^(S)My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the ^[d]blows of the sons of men. ¹⁵ But My mercy shall not depart from him, ^(T)as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶ And ^(U)your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before ^[e]you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

¹⁷ According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.