12. Then Solomon spoke: “Adonai said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.
13. I have surely built You a magnificent House, a place for Your dwelling forever.”
14. Then the king turned his face about and blessed the whole congregation of Israel while the whole congregation of Israel was standing.
15. He said: “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and has fulfilled it by His hand, saying:
16. ‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out from Egypt, I have not chosen a city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a House where My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
17. “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel.
18. But Adonai said to my father David: ‘Because it was in your heart to build a House for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart.
19. Nevertheless you will not build the House, but your son who will come out of your loins, he shall build the House for My Name.’
20. Now Adonai has fulfilled His word that He spoke, for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as Adonai promised. Also I have built the House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel,
21. and have set there a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of Adonai, which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
22. Then Solomon stood before the altar of Adonai in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,
23. and said: “Adonai, God of Israel, there is no God like You, in heaven above or on earth below, keeping covenant and lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart.
24. “You have kept what You promised with Your servant David my father. Yes, You spoke with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.
25. “Now therefore, Adonai, God of Israel, keep with Your servant David my father what You have promised him, saying: ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your children watch their way, walking before Me as you have walked before Me.’
26. Now therefore, God of Israel, please, let Your word be confirmed, which You spoke to Your servant my father David.
27. So will God really dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You! How much less this House that I have built!