20. The Lord has fulfilled what He promised.I have taken the place of my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
21. I have provided a place there for the ark,where the Lord’s covenant isthat He made with our ancestorswhen He brought them out of the land of Egypt.
22. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.
23. He said:Lord God of Israel,there is no God like Youin heaven above or on earth below, keeping the gracious covenantwith Your servants who walk before Youwith their whole heart.
24. You have kept what You promisedto Your servant, my father David.You spoke directly to himand You fulfilled Your promise by Your poweras it is today.
25. Therefore, Lord God of Israel,keep what You promisedto Your servant, my father David:You will never fail to have a manto sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons guard their walk before Meas you have walked before Me.
26. Now Lord God of Israel,please confirm what You promisedto Your servant, my father David.
27. But will God indeed live on earth?Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You,much less this temple I have built.
28. Listen to Your servant’s prayer and his petition, Lord my God,so that You may hear the cry and the prayerthat Your servant prays before You today,
29. so that Your eyes may watch over this temple night and day, toward the place where You said:My name will be there, and so that You may hear the prayerthat Your servant prays toward this place.
30. Hear the petition of Your servant and Your people Israel,which they pray toward this place. May You hear in Your dwelling place in heaven.May You hear and forgive.
31. When a man sins against his neighborand is forced to take an oath, and he comes to take an oathbefore Your altar in this temple,
32. may You hear in heaven and act.May You judge Your servants,condemning the wicked man by bringingwhat he has done on his own headand providing justice for the righteousby rewarding him according to his righteousness.
33. When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy,because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and praise Your name,and they pray and plead with Youfor mercy in this temple,
34. may You hear in heavenand forgive the sin of Your people Israel.May You restore them to the landYou gave their ancestors.
35. When the skies are shut and there is no rain,because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this placeand praise Your name,and they turn from their sinsbecause You are afflicting them,
36. may You hear in heavenand forgive the sin of Your servantsand Your people Israel,so that You may teach them the good waythey should walk in. May You send rain on Your landthat You gave Your people for an inheritance.