1 Kings 8:31-46

31“If anyone sins against another person and is required to take an oath and comes to take the oath in front of your altar in this temple,

32then hear ⌞that person⌟ in heaven, take action, and make a decision. Condemn the guilty person with the proper punishment, but declare the innocent person innocent.

33“An enemy may defeat your people Israel because they have sinned against you. But when your people turn to you, praise your name, pray, and plead with you in this temple,

34then hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors.

35“When the sky is shut and there’s no rain because they are sinning against you, and they pray toward this place, praise your name, and turn away from their sin because you made them suffer,

36then hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven. Forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the proper way to live. Then send rain on the land, which you gave to your people as an inheritance.

37“There may be famine in the land. Plant diseases, heat waves, funguses, locusts, or grasshoppers may destroy crops. Enemies may blockade Israel’s city gates. During every plague or sickness

38⌞hear⌟ every prayer for mercy, made by one person or by all the people in Israel, whose consciences bother them, who stretch out their hands toward this temple.

39Hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, where you live. Forgive ⌞them⌟, and take action. Give each person the proper reply. (You know what is in their hearts, because you alone know what is in the hearts of all people.)

40Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors, they will fear you.

41“People will hear about your great name, mighty hand, and powerful arm. So when people who are not Israelites come from distant countries because of your name

42to pray facing this temple,

43hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, the place where you live. Do everything they ask you so that all the people of the world may know your name and fear you like your people Israel and learn also that this temple which I built bears your name.

44“When your people go to war against their enemies (wherever you may send them) and they pray to you, O Lord, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I built for your name,

45then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven, and do what is right ⌞for them⌟.

46“They may sin against you. (No one is sinless.) You may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who takes them to ⌞another⌟ country as captives, ⌞whether it is⌟ far or near.