38. ⌊hear⌋ every prayer for mercy,made by one person or by all the people in Israel,whose consciences bother them,who stretch out their hands toward this temple.
39. Hear ⌊them⌋ in heaven, where you live.Forgive ⌊them⌋, and take action.Give each person the proper reply.(You know what is in their hearts,because you alone know what is in the hearts of all people.)
40. Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors,they will fear you.
41. “People will hear about your great name,mighty hand, and powerful arm.So when people who are not Israelitescome from distant countries because of your name
42. to pray facing this temple,
43. hear ⌊them⌋ in heaven, the place where you live.Do everything they ask youso that all the people of the world may know your nameand fear you like your people Israeland learn also that this temple which I built bears your name.
44. “When your people go to war against their enemies(wherever you may send them)and they pray to you, O Lord, toward the city you have chosenand the temple I built for your name,
45. then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven,and do what is right ⌊for them⌋.
46. “They may sin against you.(No one is sinless.)You may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemywho takes them to ⌊another⌋ country as captives,⌊whether it is⌋ far or near.
47. If they come to their senses,are sorry for what they’ve done,and plead with you in the land where they are captives,saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done wrong.We have been wicked,’
48. if they change their attitude toward youin the land of their enemies where they are captives,if they pray to youtoward the land that you gave their ancestors,and the city you have chosen,and the temple I have built for your name,
49. then in heaven, the place where you live, hear their prayer for mercy.Do what is right for them.
50. Forgive your people, who have sinned against you.⌊Forgive⌋ all their wrongs when they rebelled against you,and cause those who captured them to have mercy on them
51. because they are your own peoplewhom you brought out of Egyptfrom the middle of an iron smelter.