8. “So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel.
9. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world.
10-11. I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land, they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to keep you safe from all your enemies and to give you descendants.
12. When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong.
13. He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues for ever.
14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son.
15. But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king.
16. You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last for ever. Your dynasty will never end.’ ”
17. Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.
18. Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down and prayed, “I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, Sovereign Lord, nor is my family.
19. Yet now you are doing even more, Sovereign Lord; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come. And you let a man see this, Sovereign Lord!
20. What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant.