2 Samuel 7

1When the king was living in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,

2And the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.”

3And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you.”

4But that night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,

5Go and say to my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh: Would you build a house for me to dwell in?’

6For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7In all the places where I have walked among all the sons of Israel, did I ever speak a word to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’

8Now therefore, this is what you shall say to my servant David: This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be ruler over my people, over Israel.

9And I was with you wherever you went, and I cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.

10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And the sons of wickedness shall no longer afflict them, as formerly.

11and from the day that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I have given you rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also declares to you that Yahweh will make a house for you.

12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

14I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of man.

15But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

17According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

18Then King David went in and sat before Yahweh and said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?”

19And even this was too small in your eyes, Lord GOD; you have also spoken of your servant’s house for a long time to come, and this is the law of man, Lord GOD.

20And what more can David say to you? You know your servant, Lord GOD.

21Because of your word and according to your heart, you have done all this greatness, to make your servant know it.

22Therefore you are great, Lord GOD, for there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23And who is like your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for himself as a people, to make a name for himself, and to do for you great and fearsome things for your land before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods?

24And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God.

25And now, Yahweh God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.

26And may your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of hosts is God over Israel,’ and may the house of your servant David be established before you.

27For you, O Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to you.

28And now, Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have spoken this good thing to your servant.

29And now, please be willing and bless the house of your servant, that it may continue before you forever. For you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken, and by your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.