1David settled in his palace. He said to Nathan the prophet: »Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah is under a tent.« 2Nathan replied to David: »Do what you have in mind, for God is with you.« 3That night God spoke to Nathan. He said: 4»Go tell my servant David, This is what Jehovah says: ‘You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 5»I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 6»In all the places where I have moved with the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?« 7Therefore, tell my servant David: »This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: ‘I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. 8»‘I have been with you wherever you have gone. I have destroyed all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 9»‘I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning. 10»‘They have done this since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. I declare to you that Jehovah will build a house for you! 11»‘When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. It will be one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12»‘He is the one who will build a house for me. I will establish his throne forever. 13»‘I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14»‘I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever! His throne will be established forever.’« 15Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. 16Then King David went in and sat in Jehovah’s presence. He said: »Who am I, O Jehovah? What is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17»If this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Jehovah my God. 18»What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant 19»Jehovah. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises. 20»There is no one like you Jehovah and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21»Who is like your people Israel? Israel is the one nation on earth who’s God went out to redeem a people. You redeemed your people from Egypt. You make a name for yourself, and perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people. 22»You made your people Israel your very own for a very long time, and you, O Jehovah, have become their God. 23»Now, Jehovah, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established from generation to generation. Do as you promised! 24»It will be established and your name will be great forever. Then men will say: »Jehovah of Hosts, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God! And the house of your servant David will be established before you. 25»You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26»O JEHOVAH, YOU ARE GOD! You have promised these good things to your servant. 27»You have been pleased to bless the house of your servant that it may continue for a very long time in your sight. You Jehovah have blessed it and it will be blessed from generation to generation.«