1 Chronicles 22

1 And David said, This is the house of Jehovah Elohim, and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.

Then David said, “This is where the house of the Lord God will be, and this is the place for the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”

2 And David commanded to collect the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

So David gave orders to summon the foreigners living in the land of Israel, and he assigned stonecutters to prepare dressed stones to build the house of God.

3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joists, and brass in abundance without weight;

David provided plenty of iron to make the nails for the entrance doors and for the supports, as well as more bronze than could be weighed.

4 and cedar-trees innumerable; for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar-wood in abundance to David.

He provided more cedar logs than could be counted, because the people of Sidon and Tyre had brought a huge quantity of cedar logs to David.

5 For David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Jehovah must be exceeding great in fame and in beauty in all lands: I will therefore make preparation for it. And David prepared abundantly before his death.

David said to himself, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be truly magnificent, famous and glorious around the world. I need to start preparing for it.” So David made sure plenty of building materials were ready before he died.

6 And he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for Jehovah the God of Israel.

Then he sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.

7 And David said to Solomon, As for me, my son, I was minded to build a house unto the name of Jehovah my God.

David told Solomon, “My son, I had always wanted to build a house to honor the Lord my God.

8 But the word of Jehovah came to me saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, for thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

But the Lord told me, ‘You have shed a lot of blood and engaged in many wars. You are not to build a house to honor me because I have seen you shed so much blood on the earth.

9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and in his days I will give peace and quietness unto Israel.

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace from all his enemies in the nations around. Solomon will be his name, and I will grant peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.

10 He shall build a house unto my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

He is the one who will build a house to honor me. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will make sure the throne of his kingdom over Israel lasts forever.’

11 Now, my son, Jehovah be with thee, that thou mayest prosper, and build the house of Jehovah thy God, as he has said of thee.

Now, my son, may the Lord be with you so you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, just as he said you would.

12 Only, Jehovah give thee wisdom and understanding, and place thee over Israel, and to keep the law of Jehovah thy God.

Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he puts you in command of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.

13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to perform the statutes and ordinances which Jehovah commanded Moses for Israel: be strong and courageous; fear not, neither be dismayed.

Then you will be successful, as long as you are careful to follow the laws and regulations that the Lord through Moses instructed Israel to do. Be strong and be brave! Don't be afraid or discouraged!

14 And behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Jehovah a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance; and timber and stone have I prepared; and thou shalt add to it.

Look, I've taken a lot of trouble to provide for the house of the Lord— 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron, more than can be weighed.

15 And there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of skilful men for every kind of work.

I have also provided timber and stone, but you will need to add more.

16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing and Jehovah be with thee.

You have many workers such as stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen of gold, silver, bronze, and iron—without limit. So get started, and may the Lord be with you!”

17 And David commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, [saying, ]

David also ordered all the leaders in Israel to help his son Solomon.

18 Is not Jehovah your God with you? and has he [not] given you rest on every side? for he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Jehovah, and before his people.

“Isn't the Lord God with you? Hasn't he given you peace on all your borders?” he asked. “Why? Because he has placed the inhabitants of the land under my power, and they are now subject to the Lord and to his people.

19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek Jehovah your God; and arise and build the sanctuary of Jehovah Elohim, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and the vessels of the sanctuary of God into the house that is to be built unto the name of Jehovah.

Now, with your whole mind and heart, make a definite decision to always worship the Lord your God. Get started on building the sanctuary of the Lord God, Then you can bring the Ark of the Lord's Agreement and the holy things of God into the house that is to be built to honor the Lord.”