1. Then Solomon said: "The Lord has promised that he would dwell in a cloud.
2. But I have built a house to his name, so that he may dwell there forever."
3. And the king turned his face, and he blessed the entire multitude of Israel, (for the whole crowd was standing and attentive) and he said:
4. "Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has completed the work that he spoke to David my father, saying:
5. 'From the day when I led my people away from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city from all the tribes of Israel, so that a house would be built in it to my name. And I did not choose any other man, so that he would be the ruler of my people Israel.
6. But I chose Jerusalem, so that my name would be in it. And I chose David, so that I might appoint him over my people Israel.'
7. And though David, my father, had decided that he would build a house to the name of the Lord God of Israel,
8. the Lord said to him: 'In so far as it was your will that you build a house to my name, certainly you have done well in having such a will.