12-13. Earlier, Solomon had a bronze platform made that was about two metres square and over a metre high, and he put it in the centre of the outer courtyard near the altar. Solomon stood on the platform facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms towards heaven; he knelt down
14. and prayed: Lord God of Israel, no other god in heaven or on earth is like you!You never forget the agreement you made with your people, and you are loyal to anyone who faithfully obeys your teachings.
15. My father David was your servant, and today you have kept every promise you made to him.
16. You promised that someone from his family would always be king of Israel, if they do their best to obey you, just as he did.
17. Please keep this promise you made to your servant David.
18. There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, Lord God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple I have built?
19. But I ask you to answer my prayer.
20. This is the temple where you have chosen to be worshipped. Please watch over it day and night and listen when I turn towards it and pray.
21. I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you, and so whenever any of us look towards this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.
22. Suppose someone accuses a person of a crime, and the accused has to stand in front of the altar in your temple and say, “I swear I am innocent!”
23. Listen from heaven and decide who is right. Then punish the guilty person and let the innocent one go free.
24. Suppose your people Israel sin against you, and then an enemy defeats them. If they come to this temple and beg for forgiveness,
25. listen from your home in heaven. Forgive them and bring them back to the land you gave their ancestors.
26. Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they stop sinning and turn towards this temple to pray in your name,
27. listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And send rain on the land you promised them for ever.
28. Sometimes the crops may dry up or rot or be eaten by locusts or grasshoppers, and your people will be starving. Sometimes enemies may surround their towns, or your people will become sick with deadly diseases.