| Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1At that time Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the tribal heads and the ancestral leaders of the Israelites before him at Jerusalem in order to bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from the city of David, that is Zion. | 1At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. |
| 2So all the men of Israel were assembled in the presence of King Solomon in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month, at the festival. | 2And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. |
| 3All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark. | 3When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, |
| 4The priests and the Levites brought the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and the holy utensils that were in the tent. | 4and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. |
| 5King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel, who had gathered around him and were with him in front of the ark, were sacrificing sheep, goats, and cattle that could not be counted or numbered, because there were so many. | 5There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. |
| 6The priests brought the ark of the LORD's covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the most holy place beneath the wings of the cherubim. | 6Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. |
| 7For the cherubim were spreading their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim covered the ark and its poles from above. | 7For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. |
| 8The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen from outside the sanctuary; they are still there today. | 8The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. |
| 9Nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt. | 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt. |
| 10When the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the LORD's temple, | 10And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD |
| 11and because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple. | 11so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. |
| 12Then Solomon said: The LORD said that he would dwell in total darkness. | 12Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. |
| 13I have indeed built an exalted temple for you, a place for your dwelling forever. | 13I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.” |
| 14The king turned around and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were standing. | 14And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all |
| 15He said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel! He spoke directly to my father David, and he has fulfilled the promise by his power. He said, | 15and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, |
| 16"Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that my name would be there. But I have chosen David to rule my people Israel." | 16‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ |
| 17My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. | 17Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. |
| 18But the LORD said to my father David, "Since your heart was set on building a temple for my name, you have done well to have this desire. | 18But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. |
| 19Yet you are not the one to build it; instead, your son, your own offspring, will build it for my name." | 19Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’ |
| 20The 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 the LORD, the God of Israel. | 20Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. |
| 21I have provided a place there for the ark, where the LORD's covenant is that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. | 21And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” |
| 22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. | 22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, |
| 23He said: LORD God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart. | 23and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. |
| 24You have kept what you promised to your servant, my father David. You spoke directly to him and you fulfilled your promise by your power as it is today. | 24You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day. |
| 25Therefore, LORD God of Israel, keep what you promised to your servant, my father David: You will never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take care to walk before me as you have walked before me. | 25Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’ |
| 26Now LORD God of Israel, please confirm what you promised to your servant, my father David. | 26And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David. |
| 27But will God indeed live on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built. | 27But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. |
| 28Listen to your servant's prayer and his petition, LORD my God, so that you may hear the cry and the prayer that your servant prays before you today, | 28Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today. |
| 29so 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 prayer that your servant prays toward this place. | 29May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. |
| 30Hear 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. | 30Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. |
| 31When a man sins against his neighbor and is forced to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before your altar in this temple, | 31When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, |
| 32may you hear in heaven and act. May you judge your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing what he has done on his own head and providing justice for the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness. | 32then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. |
| 33When 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 you for mercy in this temple, | 33When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple, |
| 34may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel. May you restore them to the land you gave their ancestors. | 34then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers. |
| 35When the skies are shut and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you, and they pray toward this place and praise your name, and they turn from their sins because you are afflicting them, | 35When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, |
| 36may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and your people Israel, so that you may teach them the good way they should walk in. May you send rain on your land that you gave your people for an inheritance. | 36then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. |
| 37When there is famine in the land, when there is pestilence, when there is blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, when their enemy besieges them in the land and its cities, when there is any plague or illness, | 37When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come, |
| 38every prayer or petition that any person or that all your people Israel may have--they each know their own affliction--as they spread out their hands toward this temple, | 38then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— |
| 39may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and may you forgive, act, and give to everyone according to all their ways, since you know each heart, for you alone know every human heart, | 39be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— |
| 40so that they may fear you all the days they live on the land you gave our ancestors. | 40so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers. |
| 41Even for the foreigner who is not of your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name-- | 41And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— |
| 42for they will hear of your great name, strong hand, and outstretched arm, and will come and pray toward this temple-- | 42for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, |
| 43may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and do according to all the foreigner asks. Then all peoples of earth will know your name, to fear you as your people Israel do and to know that this temple I have built bears your name. | 43then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. |
| 44When your people go out to fight against their enemies, wherever you send them, and they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your name, | 44When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, |
| 45may you hear their prayer and petition in heaven and uphold their cause. | 45then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause. |
| 46When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, and their captors deport them to the enemy's country--whether distant or nearby-- | 46When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near, |
| 47and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition you in their captors' land: "We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked," | 47and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ |
| 48and when they return to you with all their heart and all their soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to you in the direction of their land that you gave their ancestors, the city you have chosen, and the temple I have built for your name, | 48and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, |
| 49may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, their prayer and petition and uphold their cause. | 49then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause. |
| 50May you forgive your people who sinned against you and all their rebellions against you, and may you grant them compassion before their captors, so that they may treat them compassionately. | 50May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy. |
| 51For they are your people and your inheritance; you brought them out of Egypt, out of the middle of an iron furnace. | 51For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron. |
| 52May your eyes be open to your servant's petition and to the petition of your people Israel, listening to them whenever they call to you. | 52May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You. |
| 53For you, Lord GOD, have set them apart as your inheritance from all peoples of the earth, as you spoke through your servant Moses when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt. | 53For You, O Lord GOD, as Your inheritance, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.” |
| 54When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven, | 54Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. |
| 55and he stood and blessed the whole congregation of Israel with a loud voice: | 55And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: |
| 56"Blessed be the LORD! He has given rest to his people Israel according to all he has said. Not one of all the good promises he made through his servant Moses has failed. | 56“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. |
| 57May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors. May he not abandon us or leave us | 57May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us nor forsake us. |
| 58so that he causes us to be devoted to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commands, statutes, and ordinances, which he commanded our ancestors. | 58May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers. |
| 59May my words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near the LORD our God day and night. May he uphold his servant's cause and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires. | 59And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold the cause of His servant and of His people Israel as each day requires, |
| 60May all the peoples of the earth know that the LORD is God. There is no other! | 60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other! |
| 61Be wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD our God to walk in his statutes and to keep his commands, as it is today." | 61So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.” |
| 62The king and all Israel with him were offering sacrifices in the LORD's presence. | 62Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. |
| 63Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the LORD: twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred twenty thousand sheep and goats. In this manner the king and all the Israelites dedicated the LORD's temple. | 63And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. |
| 64On the same day, the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard that was in front of the LORD's temple because that was where he offered the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the fat of the fellowship offerings since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to accommodate the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings. | 64On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings. |
| 65Solomon and all Israel with him--a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt--observed the festival at that time in the presence of the LORD our God, seven days, and seven more days--fourteen days. | 65So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all. |
| 66On the fifteenth day he sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went to their homes rejoicing and with happy hearts for all the goodness that the LORD had done for his servant David and for his people Israel. | 66On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel. |
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