11. I have placed in the Temple the Covenant Box, which contains the stone tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with the people of Israel.”
12. Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar and raised his arms in prayer.
13. (Solomon had made a bronze platform and put it in the middle of the courtyard. It was 2.2 metres square and 1.3 metres high. He mounted this platform, knelt down where everyone could see him, and raised his hands towards heaven.)
14. He prayed, “Lord God of Israel, in all heaven and earth there is no god like you. You keep your covenant with your people and show them your love when they live in wholehearted obedience to you.
15. You have kept the promise you made to my father David; today every word has been fulfilled.
16. Now, Lord God of Israel, keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided that they carefully obeyed your Law just as he did.
17. So now, Lord God of Israel, let everything come true that you promised to your servant David.
18. “But can you, O God, really live on earth among men and women? Not even all heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough?
19. Lord my God, I am your servant. Listen to my prayer and grant the requests I make to you.
20. Watch over this Temple day and night. You have promised that this is where you will be worshipped, so hear me when I face this Temple and pray.
21. Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people Israel when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.
22. “When a person is accused of wronging another and is brought to your altar in this Temple to take an oath that he is innocent,
23. O Lord, listen in heaven and judge your servants. Punish the guilty one as he deserves and acquit the one who is innocent.
24. “When your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you and then when they turn to you and come to this Temple, humbly praying to you for forgiveness,
25. listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of your people and bring them back to the land which you gave to them and to their ancestors.
26. “When you hold back the rain because your people have sinned against you and then when they repent and face this Temple, humbly praying to you,