1. Then Solomon said, "Lord, you have said you would live in a dark cloud.
2. I've built a beautiful temple for you. You can live in it forever."
3. The whole community of Israel was standing there. The king turned around and gave them his blessing.
4. Then he said, "I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. With his mouth he made a promise to my father David. With his powerful hands he made it come true. He said,
5. 'I brought my people out of Egypt. Ever since I did that, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a temple could be built for my Name. I have not chosen anyone to be the leader over my people Israel.
6. But now I have chosen Jerusalem. I will put my Name there. And I have chosen David to rule over my people Israel.'
7. "With all his heart my father David wanted to build a temple. He wanted to do it so the Name of the Lord could be there. The Lord is the God of Israel.
8. "But the Lord spoke to my father David. He said, 'With all your heart you wanted to build a temple for my Name. It is good that you wanted to do that.
9. But you will not build the temple. Instead, your son will build the temple for my Name. He is your own flesh and blood.'
10. "The Lord has kept the promise he made. I've become the next king after my father David. Now I'm sitting on the throne of Israel. That's exactly what the Lord promised would happen. I've built the temple for the Name of the Lord. He is the God of Israel.
11. I've placed the ark there. The tablets of the Lord's covenant are inside it. He made that covenant with the people of Israel."
12. Then Solomon stood in front of the Lord's altar. He stood in front of the whole community of Israel. He spread out his hands to pray.
13. He had made a bronze stage. It was seven and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide. It was four and a half feet high. He had placed it in the center of the outer courtyard. He stood on the stage. Then he got down on his knees in front of the whole community of Israel. He spread out his hands toward heaven.
14. He said, "Lord, you are the God of Israel. There is no God like you in heaven or on earth. You keep the covenant you made with us. You show us your love. You do that when we follow you with all our hearts.
15. You have kept your promise to my father David. He was your servant. With your mouth you made a promise. With your powerful hand you have made it come true. And today we can see it.