1. Solomon prayed:“Our Lord, you said that youwould live in a dark cloud.
2. Now I've built a glorious templewhere you can live for ever.”
3. Solomon turned towards the people standing there. Then he blessed them
4-6. and said:Praise the Lord God of Israel! He brought his people out of Egypt long ago and later kept his promise to make my father David the king of Israel. The Lord also promised him that Jerusalem would be the city where his temple will be built, and now that promise has come true.
7. When my father wanted to build a temple for the Lord God of Israel,
8. the Lord said, “It's good that you want to build a temple where I can be worshipped.
12-13. Earlier, Solomon had a bronze platform made that was about two metres square and over a metre high, and he put it in the centre of the outer courtyard near the altar. Solomon stood on the platform facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms towards heaven; he knelt down
37-39. Later, they may feel sorry for what they did and ask your forgiveness. Answer them when they pray towards this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, here in this land you gave their ancestors. From your home in heaven, listen to their sincere prayers and forgive your people who have sinned against you.