20. The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David’s place, and I sit on the throne of Israel as the Lord promised. I’ve built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
21. I’ve made a place there for the ark which contains the Lord’s promise that he made to our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”
22. In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of the Lord’s altar. He stretched out his hands toward heaven
23. and said,“Lord God of Israel,there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below.You keep your promise of mercy to your servants,who obey you wholeheartedly.
24. You have kept your promise to my father David, your servant.With your mouth you promised it.With your hand you carried it out as it is today.
25. “Now, Lord God of Israel,keep your promise to my father David, your servant.You said, ‘You will never fail to have an heirsitting in front of me on the throne of Israelif your descendants are faithful to meas you have been faithful to me.’
26. “So now, God of Israel,may the promise you made to my father David,your servant, come true.
27. “Does God really live on earth?If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you,then how can this temple that I have built?
28. Nevertheless, my Lord God, please pay attention to my prayer for mercy.Listen to my cry for help as I pray to you today.
29. Night and day may your eyes be on this temple,the place about which you said, ‘My name will be there.’Listen to me as I pray toward this place.
30. Hear the plea for mercythat your people Israel and I pray toward this place.Hear us ⌊when we pray⌋ to heaven, the place where you live.Hear and forgive.
31. “If anyone sins against another personand is required to take an oathand comes to take the oath in front of your altar in this temple,
32. then hear ⌊that person⌋ in heaven, take action, and make a decision.Condemn the guilty person with the proper punishment,but declare the innocent person innocent.
33. “An enemy may defeat your people Israelbecause they have sinned against you.But when your people turn to you, praise your name, pray,and plead with you in this temple,