But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you(A) the one to build me a house to dwell in?(B) I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.(C) I have been moving from place to place with a tent(D) as my dwelling.(E) Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,(F) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd(G) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house(H) of cedar?(I)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,(J) and appointed you ruler(K) over my people Israel.(L) I have been with you wherever you have gone,(M) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.(N) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.(O) 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant(P) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.(Q) Wicked(R) people will not oppress them anymore,(S) as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a](T) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.(U)

“‘The Lord declares(V) to you that the Lord himself will establish(W) a house(X) for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest(Y) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,(Z) and I will establish his kingdom.(AA) 13 He is the one who will build a house(AB) for my Name,(AC) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(AD) 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.(AE) When he does wrong, I will punish him(AF) with a rod(AG) wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him,(AH) as I took it away from Saul,(AI) whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne(AJ) will be established(AK) forever.(AL)’”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges
  2. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

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