5 “Go to My servant David and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you to build a house for Me to live in? z 6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as My dwelling. a 7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked anyone among the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel: Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

8 “Now this is what you are to say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of * Hosts says: I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep to be ruler over My people Israel. b 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a name c for you like that of the greatest in the land. d 10 I will establish a place e for My people Israel and plant them, f so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not afflict them as they have done 11 ever since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel. g I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“ ‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord Himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. h 13 He will build a house for My name, i and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. j 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me. k When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod and with blows from others. 15 But My faithful love will never leave him l as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way. m 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before Me n forever, o and your throne will be established forever.’ ” p