1Then Solomon said, “Lord, you have said you would live in a dark cloud. 2I’ve built a beautiful temple for you. You can live in it forever.”
3The whole community of Israel was standing there. The king turned around and gave them his blessing. 4Then he said,
“I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. With his mouth he made a promise to my father David. With his powerful hands he made it come true. He said, 5‘I brought my people out of Egypt. Since then, a temple for my Name has not been built. I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel for that purpose. And I have not chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. 6But now I have chosen Jerusalem. I will put my Name there. And I have chosen David to rule over my people Israel.’
7“With all his heart my father David wanted to build a temple. He wanted to do it so the Name of the Lord could be there. The Lord is the God of Israel. 8But the Lord spoke to my father David. He said, ‘With all your heart you wanted to build a temple for my Name. It is good that you wanted to do that. 9But you will not build the temple. Instead, your son will build the temple for my Name. He is your own flesh and blood.’
10“The Lord has kept the promise he made. I’ve become the next king after my father David. Now I’m sitting on the throne of Israel. That’s exactly what the Lord promised would happen. I’ve built the temple for the Name of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. 11I’ve placed the ark there. The tablets of the Lord’s covenant are inside it. He made that covenant with the people of Israel.”
Solomon Prays to Set the Temple Apart to the Lord
12Then Solomon stood in front of the Lord’s altar. He stood in front of the whole community of Israel. He spread out his hands to pray. 13He had made a bronze stage. It was seven and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide. It was four and a half feet high. He had placed it in the center of the outer courtyard. He stood on the stage. Then he got down on his knees in front of the whole community of Israel. He spread out his hands toward heaven. 14He said,
“Lord, you are the God of Israel. There is no God like you in heaven or on earth. You keep the covenant you made with us. You show us your love. You do that when we follow you with all our hearts. 15You have kept your promise to my father David. He was your servant. With your mouth you made a promise. With your powerful hand you have made it come true. And today we can see it.
16“Lord, you are the God of Israel. Keep the promises you made to my father David. Do it for him. He was your servant. You said to him, ‘You will always have a son from your family line to sit on Israel’s throne. He will sit in front of the Most Holy Room, where my own throne is. That will be true only if your children after you are careful in everything they do. They must live the way my law tells them to. That is the way you have lived.’ 17Lord, you are the God of Israel. So let your promise to your servant David come true.
18“But will God really live on earth with human beings? After all, the heavens can’t hold you. In fact, even the highest heavens can’t hold you. So this temple I’ve built certainly can’t hold you! 19But please pay attention to my prayer. Lord my God, be ready to help me as I make my appeal to you. Listen to my cry for help. Hear the prayer I’m praying to you. 20Let your eyes look toward this temple day and night. You said you would put your Name here. Listen to the prayer I’m praying toward this place. 21Hear me when I ask you to help us. Listen to your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Listen to us from heaven. It’s the place where you live. When you hear us, forgive us.
22“Suppose someone does something wrong to their neighbor. And the person who has done something wrong is required to give their word. They must tell the truth about what they have done. They must come and do it in front of your altar in this temple. 23When they do, listen to them from heaven. Take action. Judge between the person and their neighbor. Pay back the guilty one. Do to them what they have done to their neighbor. Deal with the one who isn’t guilty in a way that shows they are free from blame. That will prove they aren’t guilty.
24“Suppose your people Israel have lost the battle against their enemies. And suppose they’ve sinned against you. But they turn back to you and praise your name. They pray to you in this temple. And they ask you to help them. 25Then listen to them from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel. Bring them back to the land you gave to them and their people who lived long ago.
26“Suppose your people have sinned against you. And because of that, the sky is closed up and there isn’t any rain. But your people pray toward this place. They praise you by admitting they’ve sinned. And they turn away from their sin because you have made them suffer. 27Then listen to them from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live. Send rain on the land you gave them as their share.
28“Suppose there isn’t enough food in the land. And a plague strikes the land. The hot winds completely dry up our crops. Or locusts or grasshoppers come and eat them up. Or enemies surround one of our cities and get ready to attack it. Or trouble or sickness comes. 29But suppose one of your people prays to you. They ask you to help them. They are aware of how much they are suffering. And they spread out their hands toward this temple to pray. 30Then listen to them from heaven. It’s the place where you live. Forgive them. Deal with everyone in keeping with everything they do. You know their hearts. In fact, you are the only one who knows every human heart. 31Your people will have respect for you. They will live the way you want them to. They’ll live that way as long as they are in the land you gave our people long ago.
32“Suppose an outsider who doesn’t belong to your people Israel has come from a land far away. They have come because they’ve heard about your great name. They have heard that you reached out your mighty hand and powerful arm. So they come and pray toward this temple. 33Then listen to them from heaven. It’s the place where you live. Do what that outsider asks you to do. Then all the nations on earth will know you. They will have respect for you. They’ll respect you just as your own people Israel do. They’ll know that your Name is in this house I’ve built.
34“Suppose your people go to war against their enemies. It doesn’t matter where you send them. And suppose they pray to you toward this city you have chosen. They pray toward the temple I’ve built for your Name. 35Then listen to them from heaven. Listen to their prayer. Listen to them when they ask you to help them. Stand up for them.
36“Suppose they sin against you. After all, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t sin. And suppose you get angry with them. You hand them over to their enemies. They take them as prisoners to another land. It doesn’t matter whether that land is near or far away. 37But suppose your people change their ways in the land where they are held as prisoners. They turn away from their sins. They beg you to help them in the land where they are prisoners. They say, ‘We have sinned. We’ve done what is wrong. We’ve done what is evil.’ 38And they turn back to you with all their heart and soul. Suppose it happens in the land where they were taken as prisoners. There they pray toward the land you gave their people long ago. They pray toward the city you have chosen. And they pray toward the temple I’ve built for your Name. 39Then listen to them from heaven. It’s the place where you live. Listen to their prayer. Listen to them when they ask you to help them. Stand up for them. Your people have sinned against you. Please forgive them.
40“My God, let your eyes see us. Let your ears pay attention to the prayers offered in this place.
41“Lord God, rise up and come to your resting place.
Come in together with the ark.
It’s the sign of your power.
Lord God, may your priests put on salvation as if it were their clothes.
May your faithful people be glad because you are so good.
42Lord God, don’t turn your back on your anointed king.
Remember the great love you promised to your servant David.”
Salomo Hyira Nnipa No
1Afei, Salomo bɔɔ mpaeɛ sɛ, “Ao Awurade, woaka sɛ, wobɛtena omununkum kusuu mu. 2Afei, masi Asɔredan a ɛho wɔ nyam ama wo, baabi a wobɛtumi atena afebɔɔ.”
3Na ɔhene no danee ne ho kyerɛɛ ɔmanfoɔ a wɔgyina nʼanim no nyinaa, hyiraa wɔn sɛ, 4“Nhyira nka Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, a wadi ɛbɔ a ɔhyɛɛ mʼagya Dawid no so, ɛfiri sɛ, ɔka kyerɛɛ mʼagya sɛ, 5‘Ɛfiri da a meyii me nkurɔfoɔ firii Misraim no, menyii kuropɔn biara mfirii Israel mmusuakuo no mu sɛ baabi a ɛsɛ sɛ wɔsi Asɔredan, de hyɛ me din animuonyam. Ɛnna nso, menyii ɔhene biara sɛ ɔnni me nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ anim. 6Nanso, afei, mayi Yerusalem sɛ kuropɔn, ne Dawid sɛ ɔhene.’ ”
7Afei, Salomo kaa sɛ, “Mʼagya Dawid pɛɛ sɛ ɔsi saa Asɔredan yi de hyɛ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn din animuonyam. 8Nanso, Awurade ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, ‘Ɛyɛ sɛ wopɛ sɛ wosi asɔredan de hyɛ me din animuonyam 9nanso, ɛnyɛ wo na wobɛyɛ. Mmom, wo mmammarima no mu baako na ɔbɛsi.’
10“Na afei, Awurade ayɛ deɛ ɔhyɛɛ ho bɔ no, ɛfiri sɛ, masi mʼagya anan mu sɛ ɔhene. Masi saa Asɔredan yi de ahyɛ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn din animuonyam. 11Ɛhɔ na mede Adaka no asi, na Adaka no mu nso na apam a Awurade ne Israelfoɔ yɛeɛ no hyɛ.”
Salomo Bɔ Mpaeɛ Bue Asɔredan No Ano
12Na Salomo pagyaa ne nsa kyerɛɛ soro wɔ Awurade afɔrebukyia ne Israel manfoɔ no nyinaa anim. 13Na wabɔ kɔbere mfrafraeɛ apa a nʼatweeɛmu yɛ anammɔn nson ne fa, ne tɛtrɛtɛ yɛ anammɔn nson ne fa, na ne ɔsorokɔ yɛ anammɔn ɛnan ne fa, de asi asɔredan no adihɔ mfimfini. Ɔgyinaa apa no so wɔ nnipa no nyinaa anim. Ɔbuu nkotodwe, maa ne nsa so kyerɛɛ soro. 14Ɔbɔɔ mpaeɛ sɛ,
“Ao Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, Onyankopɔn biara nni hɔ sɛ wo wɔ ɔsoro ne asase so nyinaa. Wodi wo bɔhyɛ so, na woda wo dɔ a ɛwɔ hɔ daa no adi kyerɛ wɔn a wɔtie wo na wɔn ani gye sɛ wɔbɛyɛ wʼapɛdeɛ nyinaa. 15Wo bɔ a wohyɛɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid a ɔyɛ mʼagya no, woadi so. Wʼankasa wʼano na wode hyɛɛ bɔ no, na ɛnnɛ, wonam wʼankasa wo nsa so ama aba mu.
16“Afei, Ao Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, ma ɛbɔ a wokɔɔ so hyɛɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid a ɔyɛ mʼagya no mmra mu. Woka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, ‘Sɛ wʼasefoɔ bɔ wɔn bra yie, na wɔdi me mmara so sɛdeɛ woayɛ no a, wɔbɛdi Israel so ɔhene daa daa.’ 17Afei, Ao Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, di saa bɔ a woahyɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid no so.
18“Ɛyɛ nokorɛ sɛ Onyankopɔn bɛtena nnipa mu wɔ asase so? Ɔsorosoro nohoa mpo ntumi nkora wo, na ɛbɛyɛ dɛn na Asɔredan a masie yi bɛtumi akora wo. 19Tie me mpaeɛbɔ ne mʼadesrɛdeɛ, Ao Awurade, me Onyankopɔn. Tie osufrɛ ne mpaeɛ a wo ɔsomfoɔ rebɔ no. 20Hwɛ saa Asɔredan yi so, beaeɛ a woaka sɛ wode wo din bɛto so no, awia ne anadwo. Daa, tie me mpaeɛ a mebɔ wɔ ha no. 21Tie mʼahobrɛaseɛ ne nokorɛ adebisa a me ne wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ bɔ mpaeɛ wɔ ha de to wʼanim no. Aane, tie yɛn firi soro baabi a wote no; na sɛ wote nso a, fa kyɛ.
22“Sɛ obi fom obi, na ɛho hia sɛ ɔka ho ntam sɛ ɔnnim ho hwee wɔ afɔrebukyia a ɛsi asɔredan mu no anim a, 23tie firi soro, na bu wʼasomfoɔ baanu no a ɛyɛ deɛ wɔabɔ no soboɔ no ne soboɔbɔfoɔ no ntam atɛn. Deɛ ɔdi fɔ no, twe nʼaso na gyaa deɛ ɔdi bem no.
24“Sɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ yɛ bɔne tia wo, na ɛno enti wɔn atamfoɔ di wɔn so nkonim na wɔsane ba wo nkyɛn, bɔ wo din na wɔbɔ wo mpaeɛ wɔ Asɔredan yi mu a, 25tie firi soro, na fa wɔn bɔne kyɛ wɔn, na ma wɔnsane nkɔ asase a wode maa wɔn agyanom no so.
26“Sɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ yɛ bɔne tia wo, na ɛno enti wɔto ɔsoro mu na osuo antɔ na wɔbɔ mpaeɛ wɔ Asɔredan yi mu, bɔ wo din, twe wɔn ho firi wɔn bɔne ho, ɛfiri sɛ, woatwe wɔn aso a, 27tie firi soro, na fa wʼasomfoɔ, wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ bɔne no kyɛ. Kyerɛ wɔn deɛ ɛyɛ, na ma osuo ntɔ ngu wʼasase a wode ama wo nkurɔfoɔ sɛ wɔn agyapadeɛ sononko no so.
28“Sɛ ɛkɔm si asase no so anaa ɔyaredɔm ba so anaa mfudeɛ nyarewa ba anaa ntutummɛ ne asa bɛgu mfudeɛ so, anaa wo nkurɔfoɔ atamfoɔ ba asase no so bɛtua wɔn nkuro a, sɛdeɛ ɔhaw no te biara no, 29sɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ bɔ mpaeɛ wɔ wɔn haw ne awerɛhoɔ ho, na wɔpagya wɔn nsa wɔ asɔredan yi mu a, 30tie firi ɔsoro deɛ wote hɔ, na fa kyɛ. Fa biribiara a ɛfata wo nkurɔfoɔ no ma wɔn, ɛfiri sɛ, wo nko ara na wonim onipa akoma mu. 31Ɛno akyi wɔbɛsuro wo na wɔanante wʼakwan so mmerɛ dodoɔ a wɔte asase a wode maa yɛn agyanom no so.
32“Na sɛ ananafoɔ te wo nka ne wo nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ akɛseɛ no, na wɔfiri akyirikyiri bɛsom wo din kɛseɛ no, bɔ mpaeɛ de wɔn ani kyerɛ Asɔredan yi a, 33tie firi soro deɛ wote hɔ, na yɛ wɔn abisadeɛ ma wɔn. Na ɛbɛma nnipa a wɔte asase so nyinaa ahunu, asuro wo, sɛdeɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ no yɛ pɛpɛɛpɛ. Wɔn nso bɛhunu sɛ, wo din na ɛda saa Asɔredan a masie yi so.
34“Sɛ wohyɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ sɛ wɔmfiri adi nkɔko ntia wɔn atamfoɔ, na sɛ wɔbɔ wo mpaeɛ firi kuro yi a woayi, ne saa asɔredan yi a masi de wo din ato so yi mu a, 35tie wɔn mpaeɛbɔ firi soro, na yɛ wɔn abisadeɛ ma wɔn.
36“Sɛ wɔyɛ bɔne tia wo mpo a, hwan na ɔnyɛɛ bɔne da? Wo bo bɛfu wɔn ama wɔn atamfoɔ adi wɔn so, afa wɔn nkoa de wɔn akɔ ananasase so, sɛ ɛwɔ akyiri anaa ɛbɛn. 37Na saa ahɔhosase no so, wɔde ahonu sane ba wo nkyɛn, bɔ mpaeɛ sɛ, ‘Yɛayɛ bɔne; yɛayɛ amumuyɛsɛm ne atirimuɔdensɛm,’ 38na sɛ wɔde wɔn akoma ne wɔn kra nyinaa ba wo nkyɛn, bɔ mpaeɛ fa asase a wode maa wɔn agyanom, saa kuropɔn yi a woayi ne saa asɔredan a masi de ahyɛ wo din animuonyam yi ho a, 39tie wɔn mpaeɛbɔ no firi soro, deɛ woteɛ hɔ. Di wɔn asɛm ma wɔn, na fa bɔne a wo nkurɔfoɔ ayɛ atia wo no kyɛ wɔn.
40“Ao me Onyankopɔn, tie mpaeɛ a wɔbɔ no wɔ ha no nyinaa.
41“Afei, Ao Awurade Onyankopɔn, sɔre na bra wʼahomegyebea,
a wɔde wʼapam Adaka fɛfɛ no abɛsi no.
“Ao Awurade Onyankopɔn, ma nkwagyeɛ mmra wʼasɔfoɔ so,
na wʼahotefoɔ nnya wʼayamyɛ mu anigyeɛ.
42“Ao Awurade Onyankopɔn, nyi wʼani mfiri deɛ woasra no ngo no so.
Kae ɔdɔ a ɛtoɔ ntwa da, a wode dɔɔ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid no.”
