1 Ahemfo 8

1 Afei, Salomo frɛɛ Israel mmusuakuo ne mmusua biara mu ntuanofoɔ nyinaa, sɛ wɔnhyia wɔ Yerusalem. Na ɛsɛ sɛ wɔfa Awurade Apam Adaka no firi baabi a ɛwɔ wɔ Dawid kuro a wɔfrɛ no Sion no mu, de ba baabi foforɔ wɔ Asɔredan mu hɔ.

Then Solomon summoned before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel, including all the heads of the tribes and the family leaders of the Israelites. He instructed them to bring up with them the Ark of the Lord's Agreement from Zion, the City of David.

2 Wɔn nyinaa bɛhyiaa wɔ ɔhene anim wɔ afirinhyia afahyɛ a wɔfrɛ no Dwanekɔbea Afahyɛ no ase wɔ bosome Bul (bɛyɛ Ahinime) mu.

All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the festival which is held in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

3 Ɛberɛ a mpanimfoɔ no duruu Israel no, asɔfoɔ no maa Adaka no so.

When all the elders of Israel had gathered, the priests picked up the Ark and brought the Ark of the Lord and the Tent of Meeting with all its holy items.

4 Afei, asɔfoɔ no ne Lewifoɔ maa Awurade Adaka no ne Ntomadan no so, soa de kɔɔ Asɔredan no mu a ɛho nkuku ne nkaka a wɔate ho no ka ho.

The priests and Levites carried them up.

5 Ɔhene Salomo ne Israel manfoɔ no nyinaa de nnwan ne anantwie a wɔn dodoɔ nni ano bɔɔ afɔdeɛ wɔ Adaka no anim.

In front of the Ark, King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who had gathered there with him sacrificed many, many sheep and bulls—so numerous they couldn't be counted!

6 Afei, asɔfoɔ no soaa Awurade Adaka no de kɔɔ Asɔredan no kronkron mu kronkron hɔ. Wɔde sii Kerubim no ntaban ase.

Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord's Agreement to its place in the inner sanctuary of the Temple, the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

7 Kerubim no trɛɛ wɔn ntaban mu wɔ Adaka no so, ma ɛyɛɛ sɛ kyiniiɛ wɔ Adaka no ne ne nnua a ɛsosɔ mu no so.

The cherubim spread their wings over the place where the Ark was, covering the Ark and its carrying poles.

8 Na nnua a ɛsosɔ mu no woware ara kɔsi sɛ, sɛ obi gyina Asɔredan no kwan a ɛwɔ anim dan kɛseɛ a ɛyɛ kronkronbea no ano a, ɔhunu, nanso sɛ ɔgyina akyire deɛ a, ɔnhunu. Ne nyinaa da so wɔ hɔ bɛsi ɛnnɛ.

The poles were so long that the ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside. They are there to this day.

9 Na biribiara nni Adaka no mu ka aboɔ apono mmienu a Mose de guu mu wɔ Horeb no, baabi a Awurade ne Israelfoɔ yɛɛ apam, ɛberɛ a wɔfirii Misraim no.

There was nothing in the Ark apart from the two tablets of stone that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord had made an agreement with the Israelites after they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 Asɔfoɔ no refiri Kronkron mu Kronkron hɔ no, omununkum bɛhyɛɛ Awurade Asɔredan no ma.

When the priests left the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.

11 Asɔfoɔ no antumi antoa wɔn dwumadie no so, ɛfiri sɛ, Awurade animuonyam bɛhyɛɛ Asɔredan no ma.

Due to the cloud, the priests could not stay there to carry out their service, for the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's Temple.

12 Na Salomo bɔɔ mpaeɛ sɛ, “Ao, Awurade, woaka sɛ wobɛtena omununkum kusuu mu.

Then Solomon said: “Lord, you said that you would live in the thick cloud.

13 Nanso, masi Asɔredan a ɛwɔ animuonyam ama wo a wobɛtumi atena mu afebɔɔ.”

Now I have built for you a majestic Temple, a place where you may live for ever.”

14 Na ɔhene no danee ne ho kyerɛɛ ɔmanfoɔ a wɔgyina nʼanim no nyinaa, hyiraa wɔn sɛ,

The king turned around to the whole assembly of Israel who were standing there, and blessed them,

15 “Nhyira nka Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn a wadi ɛbɔ a ɔhyɛɛ mʼagya Dawid no so.

saying, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who by his own power has fulfilled the promise he made to my father David when he said,

16 Na ɔka kyerɛɛ mʼagya sɛ, ‘Ɛfiri da a mede me nkurɔfoɔ Israel firi Misraim baeɛ no, mannyi kuro biara wɔ Israel mmusuakuo no mu a ɛsɛ sɛ wɔsi asɔredan, de hyɛ me din animuonyam. Nanso, seesei mayi Dawid sɛ ɔnni ɔhene wɔ me nkurɔfoɔ so.’”

‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt I have not chosen any town of the tribes of Israel as the place to build a Temple to honor me. But I have chosen David as king over my people Israel.’

17 Na Salomo kaa sɛ, “Mʼagya pɛɛ sɛ anka ɔsi Asɔredan yi de hyɛ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn din animuonyam.

My father David really wanted to build a Temple to honor the Lord, the God of Israel.

18 Nanso, Awurade ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, ‘Ɛyɛ sɛ wopɛ sɛ wosi Asɔredan de hyɛ me din animuonyam,

But the Lord told my father David, ‘You had the desire to build a Temple to honor me, and it was good that you really wanted to do this.

19 nanso ɛnyɛ wo na wobɛyɛ. Mmom, wo mmammarima no mu baako na ɔbɛsi.’

But it won't be you who will build this Temple, but your son who is to be born to you—he will build the Temple to honor me.'

20 “Na seesei, Awurade ayɛ deɛ ɔhyɛɛ ho bɔ no, ɛfiri sɛ, madi adeɛ sɛ ɔhene, asi mʼagya anan mu. Masi saa Asɔredan yi de ahyɛ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn din animuonyam.

Now the Lord has kept his promise that he made. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised. I have built the Temple to honor the Lord, the God of Israel.

21 Na masiesie baabi wɔ hɔ ama Adaka a Awurade Apam a ɔne yɛn agyanom yɛɛ wɔ ɛberɛ a ɔyii wɔn firii Misraim no.”

I have provided a place there for the Ark, which contains the agreement of the Lord that he made with our forefathers when he led them out of the land of Egypt.”

22 Na Salomo gyinaa hɔ, pagyaa ne nsa kyerɛɛ soro wɔ Awurade afɔrebukyia no anim wɔ Israelfoɔ no nyinaa anim.

Then Solomon stood in front of the altar of the Lord before the whole assembly of Israel and held out his hands toward heaven.

23 Ɔbɔɔ mpaeɛ sɛ, “Ao, Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, Onyame biara nni hɔ a ɔte sɛ wo wɔ ɔsoro anaa asase so. Wodi wo bɔhyɛ so, na woda wo dɔ a ɛnni awieeɛ adi kyerɛ wɔn a wɔtie wo, na wɔpɛ sɛ wɔyɛ wʼapɛdeɛ nso.

He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep you agreement of trustworthy love with your servants, those who are totally committed to following you.

24 Wo bɔ a wohyɛɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid a ɔyɛ mʼagya no, woadi so. Wʼankasa wʼano na wode hyɛɛ bɔ no, na ɛnnɛ, wonam wʼankasa wo nsa so ama aba mu.

You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You yourself promised, and by your own power you have fulfilled it today.

25 “Afei, Ao Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, ma ɛbɔ a wokɔɔ so hyɛɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Dawid a ɔyɛ mʼagya no mmra mu. Woka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, ‘Sɛ wʼasefoɔ bɔ wɔn bra yie, na wɔdi me mmara so sɛdeɛ woayɛ no a, wɔbɛdi Israel so ɔhene daa daa.’

So now, Lord, God of Israel, please also keep the promise you made to your servant, my father David, when you said: ‘You will never fail to have a descendant sit in my presence on the throne of Israel, as long as they make sure to follow me as you have done.’

26 Enti afei, Ao, Israel Onyankopɔn, di ɛbɔ a woahyɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ, mʼagya Dawid no so.

Now, God of Israel, please keep the promise you made to our servant, my father David.

27 “Na ɛyɛ ampa sɛ Onyankopɔn bɛtena asase so? Mpo, sɛ ɔsorosoro sua ma wo a, ɛdeɛn na yɛbɛka afa Asɔredan a masi yi ho!

But will God really live here on earth? The heavens, even highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this Temple I have built!

28 Tie me mpaeɛbɔ ne mʼadesrɛdeɛ, Ao, Awurade, me Onyankopɔn. Tie su a wo ɔsomfoɔ resu ne mpaeɛ a wo ɔsomfoɔ rebɔ akyerɛ wo ɛnnɛ.

Please hear the prayer of your servant and his request, Lord my God. Please hear the appeals and the prayers that your servant is presenting before you today.

29 Wobɛhwɛ Asɔredan yi so awia ne anadwo; saa beaeɛ a woaka sɛ wode wo din bɛto so no. Wobɛtie mpaeɛ a mebɔ wɔ beaeɛ yi daa.

May you watch over this Temple day and night, caring for the place where you said you would be honored. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place,

30 Tie mʼahobrɛaseɛ ne nokorɛ abisadeɛ a ɛfiri me ne wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ nkyɛn, ɛberɛ a yɛrebɔ mpaeɛ wɔ beaeɛ ha no. Aane, tie yɛn firi soro a wote hɔ no, na sɛ wote a, fa kyɛ.

and may you hear the request of your servant and your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Please hear from heaven where you live. May you hear and forgive.

31 “Sɛ obi fom obi, na ɛho hia sɛ ɔka ho ntam sɛ ɔnnim ho hwee wɔ afɔrebukyia a ɛsi asɔredan mu no anim a,

When someone sins against another and is required to take an oath before your altar in this Temple,

32 tie firi soro, na bu wʼasomfoɔ baanu no a ɛyɛ deɛ wɔabɔ no soboɔ no ne soboɔbɔfoɔ no ntam atɛn. Deɛ ɔdi fɔ no, twe nʼaso na gyaa deɛ ɔdi bem no.

listen from heaven—act and judge your servants. Pay back the guilty; vindicate and reward those who do right.

33 “Sɛ wɔdi wo nkurɔfoɔ Israel so, ɛfiri sɛ, wɔayɛ bɔne atia wo, na sɛ wɔdane ba wo nkyɛn, na wɔbɔ wo din frɛ wo, na wɔbɔ wo mpaeɛ wɔ Asɔredan mu ha a,

When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they come back in repentance to you, praying for forgiveness in this Temple,

34 ɛnneɛ, tie firi soro, na fa wɔn bɔne kyɛ wɔn, na ma wɔnsane nkɔ asase a wode maa wɔn agyanom no so.

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their forefathers.

35 “Sɛ ɔsoro mu ato, na osuo ntɔ, ɛfiri sɛ, wo nkurɔfoɔ ayɛ bɔne atia wo, na afei, wɔbɔ mpaeɛ wɔ Asɔredan mu ha, bɔ wo din, ka wɔn bɔne, na wɔdane firi wɔn bɔne ho, ɛfiri sɛ, woatwe wɔn aso a,

If the skies are closed shut and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and if they come back in repentance to you, turning away from their sin because you have punished them,

36 ɛnneɛ, tie firi soro, na fa wʼasomfoɔ, wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ bɔne no kyɛ. Kyerɛ wɔn deɛ ɛyɛ, na ma osuo ntɔ ngu wʼasase a wode ama wo nkurɔfoɔ sɛ wɔn agyapadeɛ sononko no so.

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the good way so that they can walk on it, and send rain on the earth that you have given to your people as their possession.

37 “Sɛ ɛkɔm si asase no so anaa ɔyaredɔm ba so anaa mfudeɛ nyarewa ba anaa ntutummɛ ne asa bɛgu mfudeɛ so, anaa wo nkurɔfoɔ atamfoɔ ba asase no so bɛtua wɔn nkuro a, sɛdeɛ ɔhaw no te biara no,

If there is famine in the land, or disease, or blight or mildew on the crops, or if there are locusts or caterpillars, or if an enemy comes to lay siege to the towns in the land—it can be whatever kind of plague or whatever kind of disease—

38 na sɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ bɔ mpaeɛ wɔ wɔn haw ne awerɛhoɔ ho, na wɔpagya wɔn nsa wɔ asɔredan yi mu a,

then whatever kind of prayer or whatever kind of appeal is made by anyone or all your people Israel, in fact anyone who, knowing their problems and pains, prays toward this Temple,

39 tie firi soro, deɛ wote hɔ, na fa kyɛ. Fa biribiara a ɛyɛ ma wo nkurɔfoɔ ma wɔn, na wo nko ara na wonim onipa akoma mu.

then hear from heaven, the place where you live, and forgive. Give according to the way they live their lives, for you know what people are really like inside, and you alone know the true character of people.

40 Na wɔbɛsuro wo, na wɔanante wʼakwan so, berɛ dodoɔ a wɔte asase a wode maa yɛn agyanom yi so no.

Then they will respect you and follow your ways all the time they live in the land you gave to our forefathers.

41 “Na sɛ ananafoɔ te wo nka, na wɔfiri akyirikyiri nsase so ba bɛsom wo din kɛseɛ no a,

As for the foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel but who come from a distant land,

42 wɔbɛte wo nka, wo nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ akɛseɛ no ne wo tumi ho asɛm, na sɛ wɔbɔ mpaeɛ wɔ saa asɔredan yi mu a,

having heard of your great nature and power and ability to help, when they come and pray toward this Temple,

43 tie firi soro hɔ a wote no, na yɛ wɔn abisadeɛ ma wɔn. Na ɛbɛma nnipa a wɔwɔ asase so nyinaa ahunu, na wɔasuro wo, sɛdeɛ wo ara wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ yɛ no. Wɔn nso bɛhunu sɛ, wo din da saa Asɔredan a masi yi so.

then hear from heaven, the place where you live, and give them what they're asking. That way, everyone on earth will come to know and respect you, just as your own people Israel do. They will also know that this Temple I have built is dedicated to you.

44 “Sɛ wohyɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ ma wɔpue, kɔko tia wɔn atamfoɔ, na sɛ wɔbɔ mpaeɛ, srɛ Awurade fa saa kuro yi a woayi yi, ne saa Asɔredan a masi de wo din ato so yi ho a,

When your people go to fight against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to you towards the city you have chosen and the house I have built to honor you,

45 ɛnneɛ, tie wɔn mpaeɛbɔ firi soro, na yɛ wɔn abisadeɛ ma wɔn.

then hear from heaven what they are praying and asking for, and support their cause.

46 “Sɛ wɔyɛ bɔne tia wo a, na hwan na ɔnyɛɛ bɔne da? Wo bo bɛfu wɔn, na woama wɔn atamfoɔ adi wɔn so, na wɔafa wɔn nnommum de wɔn akɔ ananasase a ɛwɔ akyiri anaasɛ ɛbɛn so.

If they sin against you—and there is nobody who does not sin—you may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who takes them away as prisoners to a foreign land, near or far away.

47 Na saa ahɔhosase no so, wɔde ahonu sane ba wo nkyɛn, bɔ mpaeɛ sɛ, ‘Yɛayɛ bɔne; yɛayɛ amumuyɛsɛm ne atirimuɔdensɛm,’

But if they think again in their land of captivity and repent and plead for mercy from you, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly,’

48 Na sɛ wɔde wɔn akoma ne wɔn kra nyinaa dane ba wo nkyɛn, na wɔbɔ mpaeɛ ma asase a wode maa wɔn agyanom no ho, saa kuro a woayi ne saa Asɔredan a masi de ahyɛ wo din animuonyam yi a,

and they come back to you with complete sincerity in their thoughts and attitudes there in their land of captivity; and they pray towards the land you gave their forefathers, the city you chose, and the Temple I have built to honor you,

49 ɛnneɛ, tie wɔn mpaeɛbɔ firi soro baabi a wote hɔ. Yɛ wɔn apɛdeɛ ma wɔn,

then hear from heaven, the place where you live, respond and support their cause.

50 na fa wo nkurɔfoɔ a wɔayɛ bɔne atia wo no bɔne kyɛ wɔn. Ma wɔn nnommumfafoɔ nhunu wɔn mmɔbɔ,

Forgive your people who have sinned against you, all the rebellious acts they have committed against you. Please make those who have captured them show mercy to them.

51 ɛfiri sɛ, wɔyɛ wo nkurɔfoɔ, wʼagyapadeɛ sononko a woyii wɔn firii Misraim dadenane fononoo mu.

For they are your people—they belong to you! You led them out of Egypt, out of the middle of furnace used for smelting iron.

52 “Bue wʼani ma mʼabisadeɛ ne wo nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ abisadeɛ. Ɛberɛ biara a wɔbɛsu afrɛ wo no, tie wɔn, na gye wɔn so.

May you pay attention to the requests of your servant, and to the requests of your people Israel, and may you respond whenever they call out to you.

53 Ɛfiri sɛ, ɛberɛ a woyii yɛn agyanom firii Misraim no, Ao, Otumfoɔ Awurade, woka kyerɛɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Mose sɛ, woate Israel afiri aman a aka nyinaa a ɛwɔ asase yi so ho sɛ, wɔnyɛ wʼagyapadeɛ sononko.”

For you set them apart from all the nations of the world as a people who belonged to you, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you led our fathers out of Egypt.”

54 Ɛberɛ a Salomo wiee saa mpaeɛbɔ ne nʼabisadeɛ a ɔde danee Awurade yi no, ɔgyinaa Awurade afɔrebukyia anim, baabi a na ɔtaa bu nkotodwe, na ɔpagya ne nsa kyerɛ soro.

After Solomon finished praying all these prayers and requests to the Lord, he stood up before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands held out toward heaven.

55 Ɔgyinaa hɔ teaam, hyiraa Israelfoɔ no so sɛ,

Solomon stood, and in a loud voice he blessed the whole assembly of Israel, saying,

56 “Ayɛyie nka Awurade a wama ne nkurɔfoɔ Israelfoɔ ɔhome, sɛdeɛ ɔhyɛɛ ho bɔ no. Ɛbɔ nwanwa a ɔnam Mose so daa no adi no mu baako koraa nni hɔ a amma mu.

“Praise the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel in accordance with everything he promised. Not a single word has failed among all the good promises he made through his servant Moses.

57 Awurade, yɛn Onyankopɔn, nka yɛn ho sɛdeɛ ɔkaa yɛn agyanom ho no; ɔrennya yɛn da biara da.

May the Lord our God be with us in the same way he was with our forefathers. May he never leave us or abandon us.

58 Ɔmma yɛnya ɔpɛ a yɛde bɛyɛ nʼapɛdeɛ wɔ biribiara mu, na yɛnni mmara ne ahyɛdeɛ a ɔhyɛ de maa yɛn agyanom no nyinaa so.

May he help us to come to him, to follow all his ways and to keep the commandments, statutes, and regulations he ordered our forefathers to observe.

59 Na ma ɔnkae saa nsɛm a magyina so de abɔ saa mpaeɛ wɔ Awurade anim yi daa awia ne anadwo, sɛdeɛ Awurade, yɛn Onyankopɔn, bɛtie me ne Israelfoɔ, na wayɛ deɛ ɛhia yɛn daa ama yɛn.

May these words of mine I have used to make my request in the Lord's presence be before the Lord our God day and night. In that way he may support the cause of his servant and of his people Israel as is needed every day,

60 Ma nnipa a wɔwɔ asase so nyinaa nhunu sɛ Awurade yɛ Onyankopɔn, na onyame foforɔ biara nni hɔ.

in order that everyone on the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is no other!

61 Na mo a moyɛ ne nkurɔfoɔ no, nni Awurade, yɛn Onyankopɔn, no nokorɛ daa. Monni ne mmara ne nʼahyɛdeɛ so daa, sɛdeɛ moyɛ no ɛnnɛ yi.”

So make sure you are completely committed to the Lord our God just as you are today, and be careful to follow his statutes and to keep his commandments.”

62 Na ɔhene no ne Israelfoɔ a wɔka ne ho no bɔɔ afɔdeɛ maa Awurade.

Then the king and together with all of Israel offered sacrifices before the Lord.

63 Salomo bɔɔ asomdwoeɛ afɔdeɛ maa Awurade. Nʼafɔrebɔdeɛ no yɛ anantwie ɔpeduonu mmienu ne nnwan ɔpeha aduonu. Na ɔhene no ne Israel nyinaa daa Asɔredan no adi, de maa Awurade.

Solomon presented as friendship offerings to the Lord 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep. In this way the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Lord's Temple.

64 Saa ɛda no ara, ɔhene no daa Asɔredan no adihɔ no mfimfini a ɛka Awurade Asɔredan ho no adi. Ɔbɔɔ ɔhyeɛ afɔdeɛ, atokoɔ afɔdeɛ ne asomdwoeɛ afɔdeɛ ho sradeɛ no wɔ hɔ, ɛfiri sɛ, na kɔbere mfrafraeɛ afɔrebukyia a ɛwɔ Awurade anim no sua dodo sɛ ɛbɛtumi akora afɔrebɔdeɛ bebree.

On that same day, the king dedicated the center of the courtyard in front of the Lord's Temple. There he presented burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the friendship offerings, since the bronze altar in the Lord's presence was too small to hold all these offerings.

65 Na Salomo ne Israel nyinaa boom, dii Dwanekɔbea Afahyɛ wɔ Awurade, wɔn Onyankopɔn, anim. Nnipadɔm no firi Lebo Hamat wɔ atifi fam kɔsi Misraim asuwa wɔ anafoɔ fam, na wɔbaeɛ. Afahyɛ yi kɔɔ so ara nnafua dunan. Emu nnanson na wɔde daa afɔrebukyia no adi, ɛnna wɔde mu nnanson nso dii Dwanekɔbea Afahyɛ no.

Then Solomon together with all of Israel observed the festival before the Lord our God for seven days, and then another seven days—fourteen days in all. It was a large assembly of people, who came from as far away as Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.

66 Afahyɛ no twaam no, Salomo maa ɔmanfoɔ no kɔɔ wɔn kurom. Wɔrekɔ no nyinaa na wɔrehyira ɔhene no. Na wɔn nyinaa nyaa ahosɛpɛ ne ahotɔ, ɛfiri sɛ, Awurade ne ne ɔsomfoɔ Dawid ne Israelfoɔ adi no yie.

One day later Solomon sent the people home. They blessed the king and went home, full of joy and happy for all the good things that the Lord had done for his servant David and for his people Israel.