7. "So tell my servant David, 'The Lord who rules over all says, "I took you away from the grasslands. That is where you were taking care of your father's sheep and goats. I made you ruler over my people Israel.
8. I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I cut off all of your enemies when you were attacking them. Now I will make you famous. Your name will be just as respected as the names of the most important people on earth.
9. " ' "I will provide a place where my people Israel can live. I will plant them in the land. Then they will have a home of their own. They will not be bothered anymore. Sinful people will no longer crush them, as they did at first.
10. That is what your enemies have done ever since I appointed leaders over my people Israel. But I will bring all of them under your control. " ' "I tell you that I will build a royal house for your family.
11. Some day your life will come to an end. You will join the members of your family who have already died. Then I will give you one of your own sons to become the next king after you. I will make his kingdom secure.
12. " ' "He is the one who will build me a house. I will set up his throne. It will last forever.
13. I will be his father. And he will be my son. I took my love away from the man who ruled before you. But I will never take my love away from your son.
14. I will place him over my house and my kingdom forever. His throne will last forever." ' "
15. Nathan reported to David all of the words that the Lord had spoken to him.
16. Then King David went into the holy tent. He sat down in front of the Lord. He said, "Lord God, who am I? My family isn't important. So why have you brought me this far?
17. I would have thought that you had already done more than enough for me. But now, God, you have spoken about what is going to happen to my royal house in days to come. Lord God, you have treated me as if I were the most honored man of all.