1 Chronicles 29:6-20

6Then the Israelite leaders and officers agreed to offer gifts to help the Lord's work. They included the leaders of clans and the leaders of Israel's tribes, the army officers who led 1,000 men and who led 100 men, and the officers with authority for the king's work.

7They gave these gifts for God's temple: 190 tons of gold. 10,000 gold coins. 380 tons of silver. 675 tons of bronze. 3,750 tons of iron.

8People who had valuable stones gave them for the Lord's house. Jehiel from Gershon's clan stored them in a safe place.

9The people were very happy that their leaders gave these things. They were pleased to give to help the Lord's work. King David was also very happy.

10David praised the Lord in front of all the people who had met together. He said, ‘We praise you Lord, the God of our ancestor, Israel. You deserve that people praise you for ever!

11Lord, you are great, powerful and beautiful! You rule as king over everything in heaven and on earth. Yes, Lord, everything belongs in your kingdom!

12You are the one who gives people riches and honour. You rule over everything. You have great strength and power, so you are able to make people strong and famous.

13So we thank you, our God. We praise your great name!

14But I and my people are like nothing. How are we able to give all these gifts to help your work? Everything that we have comes from you. So we are giving back to you things that already belong to you.

15We are like strangers and foreign people who live in your world. Our ancestors also lived in that way. We live here only for a short time and then we disappear, like a shadow. We know that we will die one day.

16Lord, our God, we have given these things to build a temple for you, to give honour to your holy name. But all these valuable things come from you. They already belong to you.

17My God, I know that you look carefully at our thoughts. You are pleased when we want to do things that are right. And I really do want to offer all these things to you. I know that your people who have met together here are happy. I can see that they are pleased to give these things to you.

18Lord, you are the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Please help us, your people, to continue to obey you. Help us to serve you faithfully.

19Please help my son Solomon to want to obey you. Help him to obey all your commands, rules and laws. Help him to work well to build your temple. I have prepared the things that he will need to do that.’

20Then David spoke to all the people who were meeting there together. He told them, ‘Now praise the Lord, your God!’ So all the people praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors. They bent down low to worship the Lord. They gave honour to the Lord and also to the king.