Good News Bible

1 Kings 8:24-34 Good News Bible (GNB)

24. You have kept the promise you made to my father David; today every word has been fulfilled.

25. And now, Lord God of Israel, I pray that you will also keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided they obeyed you as carefully as he did.

26. So now, O God of Israel, let everything come true that you promised to my father David, your servant.

27. “But can you, O God, really live on earth? Not even all heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough?

28. Lord my God, I am your servant. Listen to my prayer, and grant the requests I make to you today.

29. Watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have chosen to be worshipped. Hear me when I face this Temple and pray.

30. Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.

31. “When a person is accused of wronging another and is brought to your altar in this Temple to take an oath that he is innocent,

32. O Lord, listen in heaven and judge your servants. Punish the guilty one as he deserves, and acquit the one who is innocent.

33. “When your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and then when they turn to you and come to this Temple, humbly praying to you for forgiveness,

34. listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of your people, and bring them back to the land which you gave to their ancestors.