4. But that night, the Lord’S word came to Nathan:
5. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in.
6. I did not live in a house at the time I took the Israelites out of Egypt. No, I traveled around in a tent. I used the tent for my home.
7. I never told any of the tribes of Israel to build me a fancy house made from cedar wood.’
8. “You must say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: I chose you while you were out in the pasture following the sheep. I took you from that job and made you the leader of my people, the Israelites.
9. I have been with you every place you went. I have defeated your enemies for you. I will make you one of the most famous people on earth.
10-11. And I chose a place for my people, the Israelites. I planted the Israelites. I gave them their own place to live so that they will not have to move from place to place anymore. In the past, I sent judges to lead my people, but evil people gave them many troubles. That will not happen now. I am giving you peace from all of your enemies. I promise that I will make your family a family of kings.
12. “‘When your life is finished, you will die and be buried with your ancestors. But then I will make one of your own children become the king.
13. He will build a house for my name, and I will make his kingdom strong forever.
14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips.
15. But I will never stop loving him. I will continue to be loyal to him. I took away my love and kindness from Saul. I pushed Saul away when I turned to you.
16. Your family of kings will continue—you can depend on that! For you, your kingdom will continue forever! Your throne will stand forever!’”