1. Now when David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan: "Behold, I live in a house of cedar. But the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent skins."
2. And Nathan said to David: "Do all that is in your heart. For God is with you."
3. And yet, that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:
4. "Go, and speak to my servant David: Thus says the Lord: You shall not build a house for me as a dwelling place.
5. For I have not stayed in a house from the time when I led out Israel, even to this day. Instead, I have been continually changing places, in a tabernacle and tent,
6. dwelling with all of Israel. When did I ever speak to any one at all, among the judges of Israel whom I placed in charge so that they might pasture my people, saying: 'Why have you not built a house of cedar for me?'
7. And so, now you shall say this to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you when you were following the flock in the pastures, so that you would be the leader of my people Israel.
8. And I have been with you wherever you have gone. And I have slain all your enemies before you, and I have made a name for you like one of the great ones who are celebrated upon the earth.
9. And I have given a place to my people Israel. They shall be planted, and they shall live in it, and they shall no longer be moved. Neither shall the sons of iniquity wear them away, as in the beginning,
10. from the days when I gave judges to my people Israel, and I humbled all your enemies. Therefore, I announce to you that the Lord will build a house for you.
11. And when you will have completed your days, so that you go to your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall be from your sons. And I will establish his kingdom.
12. He shall build a house for me, and I will make firm his throne, even unto eternity.