8. However, Yahweh said to my father David,“Since it was your desire to build a temple for My name,you have done well to have this desire.
9. Yet, you are not the one to build the temple,but your son, your own offspring,will build the temple for My name.”
10. So Yahweh has fulfilled what He promised.I have taken the place of my father Davidand I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised.I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
11. I have put the ark there,where Yahweh’s covenant isthat He made with the Israelites.
12. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.
13. For Solomon had made a bronze platform 7 1/2 feet long, 7 1/2 feet wide, and 4 1/2 feet high and put it in the court. He stood on it, knelt down in front of the entire congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven.
14. He said:Lord God of Israel,there is no God like Youin heaven or on earth, keeping His gracious covenantwith Your servants who walk before Youwith their whole heart.
15. You have kept what You promisedto Your servant, my father David.You spoke directly to him,and You fulfilled Your promise by Your power,as it is today.
16. 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 way to walk in My Lawas you have walked before Me.”
17. Now, Lord God of Israel, please confirmwhat You promised to Your servant David.
18. But will God indeed live on earth with man?Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
19. 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,
20. so that Your eyes watch over this templeday and night,toward the place where You saidYou would put Your name; and so that You may hear the prayerYour servant prays toward this place.
21. Hear the petitions of Your servantand Your people Israel,which they pray toward this place.May You hear in Your dwelling place in heaven.May You hear and forgive.
22. If a man sins against his neighborand is forced to take an oath and he comes to take an oathbefore Your altar in this temple,
23. 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.
24. If 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 for mercybefore You in this temple,
25. may You hear in heavenand forgive the sin of Your people Israel.May You restore them to the landYou gave them and their ancestors.
26. When the skies are shut and there is no rainbecause they have sinned against You,and they pray toward this placeand praise Your name,and they turn from their sinsbecause You are afflicting them,
27. 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.