⁴ But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, ⁵ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: ^(A)Would you build me a house to dwell in? ⁶ I have not lived in a house ^(B)since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about ^(C)in a tent for my dwelling. ⁷ In all places where ^(D)I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with ^(E)any of the judges^[a] of Israel, whom I commanded ^(F)to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ ⁸ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, ^(G)I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. ^9 (H)And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. ¹⁰ And I will appoint a place for my people Israel ^(I)and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place ^(J)and be disturbed no more. ^(K)And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, ^11 (L)from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And ^(M)I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that ^(N)the Lord will make you a house. ^12 (O)When your days are fulfilled and ^(P)you lie down with your fathers, ^(Q)I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ^13 (R)He shall build a house for my name, and ^(S)I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. ^14 (T)I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, ^(U)I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, ^15 (V)but my steadfast love will not depart from him, ^(W)as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. ^16 (X)And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me.^{[b] (Y)}Your throne shall be established for ever.’”

²⁵ And now, O Lord God, confirm for ever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.