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.
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!’”
17. Nathan told David about that vision. He told David everything God had said.
18. Then King David went in and sat in front of the Lord. David said, “Lord GOD, why am I so important to you? Why is my family important? Why have you made me so important?
19. I am nothing but a servant, but Lord GOD, you have also said these kind things about my future family. Lord GOD, you don’t always talk like this to people, do you?