2 Chronicles 6:37-42

6:37 When your people ¹  come to their senses ²  in the land where they are held prisoner, they will repent and beg for your mercy in the land of their imprisonment, admitting, ‘We have sinned and gone astray ³ , we have done evil!’ 6:38 When they return to you with all their heart and being ⁴  in the land where they are held prisoner and direct their prayers toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor, ⁵  6:39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to their prayers for help, ⁶  vindicate them, ⁷  and forgive your sinful people.

6:40 “Now, my God, may you be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place. ⁸  6:41 Now ascend, O Lord God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength! May your priests, O Lord God, experience your deliverance! ⁹  May your loyal followers rejoice in the prosperity you give! ¹⁰  6:42 O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones! ¹¹  Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!”

¹ tn Heb “they”; the referent (God’s people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Or “stop and reflect”; Heb “bring back to their heart.”

³ tn Or “done wrong.”

⁴ tn Or “soul.”

⁵ tn Heb “your name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor (thus the translation here, “your honor”).

⁷ tn Heb “their prayer and their requests for help.”

⁸ tn Heb “and accomplish their justice.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “May your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.”

¹³ tn Heb “be clothed with deliverance.”

¹⁴ tn Heb “and may your loyal ones rejoice in good.”

¹⁶ tc Heb “do not turn away the face of your anointed ones.” Many medieval Hebrew mss, as well as the ancient versions, read the singular, “your anointed,” which would probably refer to Solomon specifically, rather than the people.