1 Kings 8:22-36

New International Version

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like^(C) you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love^(D) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. ²⁴ You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

²⁵ “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises^(E) you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’ ²⁶ And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised^(F) your servant David my father come true.

²⁷ “But will God really dwell^(G) on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven,^(H) cannot contain^(I) you. How much less this temple I have built! ²⁸ Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. ²⁹ May your eyes be open^(J) toward^(K) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name^(L) shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. ³⁰ Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray^(M) toward this place. Hear^(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.^(O)

³¹ “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath^(P) before your altar in this temple, ³² then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.^(Q)

³³ “When your people Israel have been defeated^(R) by an enemy because they have sinned^(S) against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple,^{(T) 34} then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

³⁵ “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain^(U) because your people have sinned^(V) against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, ³⁶ then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach^(W) them the right way^(X) to live, and send rain^(Y) on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.