2 Chronicles

Solomon said: “The Lord has chosen to dwell in the thick cloud. Yes, I have built you a majestic temple,

a place for you to live in forever.”

Solomon’s Prayer

Then the king turned and asked God’s blessing on the whole assembly of Israel, who were standing there.

He said: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has spoken through the mouth of my father David and has now fulfilled what he said:

‘From the day I brought my people out of Egypt until now, I have not chosen any city in the land of Israel as the place to build a house for my Name, and I have not chosen anyone to be prince over my people Israel.

But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place where my Name will be, and you, David, to rule my people.’

My father David had set his heart on building a house for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel,

but the Lord said to him, ‘You have set your heart on building a temple for my name, and in this you have done well;

yet, you are not the one to build the house. Your son, born of your own body, will build me a house.’

The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David, my father, and am seated on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised; and now I have built a house for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel,

and have placed in it the Ark containing the Covenant that the Lord made with the people of Israel.”

Then, in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord and stretched out his hands.

Solomon had made a bronze pedestal and had placed it in the middle of the court. It was feet long, feet wide, and feet high. Solomon mounted it and knelt on it in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel. He stretched his hands to heaven

and said: The Lord, God of Israel, is not in heaven nor on earth who is like you; you are faithful to your Covenant and show kindness to your servants when they serve you wholeheartedly.

You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. What you vowed with your mouth, you have fulfilled with your hand today.

And now, the Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David when you said, ‘You shall always have someone from your line to rule as king of Israel; if only your sons are careful how they behave, following my law as you have done.’

So now, God of Israel, let your words come true to your servant David, my father.

Yet, will God live with men and women on the earth? Why, the heavens and their heavens cannot contain you! How much less this house that I have built!

Listen to the prayer and grant the requests of your servant, the Lord my God; hear the cry and prayer your servant makes to you.

Day and night, let your eyes watch over this house where you promised your Name would be.

Hear the prayers of your servant and Israel, your people, as they pray in this place. Hear them from heaven, where your dwelling is, and forgive as you listen.

If anyone sins against his neighbor, and the neighbor calls down a curse on him and makes him swear an oath before your altar in this house,

hear from heaven and act; decide between your servants: punish the wicked one, bringing his conduct down on his head; and vindicate the innocent, rewarding him as his innocence deserves.

If Israel, your people, are defeated by the enemy because they have sinned against you, but they return to you, praise your name, and humbly pray to you for forgiveness, in this house,

hear from heaven. Forgive the sins of your people, Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.

When the heavens are closed, and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray in this place and praise your name, having been humbled by you, and repent of their sin,

hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servant and of your people Israel. Teach them to do what is right and send rain on your land, which you have given your people as an inheritance.

Should there be famine in the land or epidemic or the crops are destroyed by scorching winds or swarms of locusts, should this people’s enemies lay siege to one of their cities, if there is any plague or sickness,

if any person, or all Israel, your people, should, out of heartfelt sorrow, pray, stretching out his hands toward this house,

hear from heaven where your home is. Forgive, and deal with each as his conduct deserves, for you know each heart—you alone know the hearts of all humankind—

that they may come to you and follow your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.

And the foreigner too, not belonging to your people Israel, if he comes from a distant country for the sake of your Name and of your mighty hand and outstretched arm, if he comes and prays in this house,

hear from heaven where your home is, and grant all the foreigner asks, so that all the people of the earth may come to know your Name and, like your people Israel, revere you, and know that your Name dwells in this house I have built.

If your people go out to war against their enemies, whatever way you send them, and if they turn toward the city you have chosen and toward the house I have built for your Name and pray to you,

hear from heaven their prayer and give them victory.

If they sin against you — because there is no one who does not sin — you become angry with them and hand them over to the enemy. They have been taken captive to a land far away or nearby.

If, in the land of their exile, they come to their senses and repent, and in the country of their captivity, they pray to you saying, ‘We have sinned; we confess how sinful and wicked we have been,’

and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their exile where they have been deported, praying and facing the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen, and toward the house I have built for your name,

hear from heaven, where your dwelling is. Listen to their prayer, be merciful to them, and forgive your people for the sins they have committed against you.

Now, O my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

Now rise, Lord God, and come to your resting place, you and the Ark of your power. Let your priests, Lord God, be blessed in all they do, and your faithful people rejoice in prosperity.

Lord God, accept the face of your anointed king and remember David, your servant.”