1 Kings 8:35-40

Contemporary English Version

³⁵ Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, ³⁶ listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And please send rain on the land you gave them to be theirs forever.

³⁷ Sometimes the crops may dry up or rot or be eaten by locusts^[a] or grasshoppers, and your people will be starving. Sometimes enemies may surround their towns, or your people will become sick with deadly diseases. ³⁸ Listen when anyone in Israel truly feels sorry and sincerely prays with arms lifted toward your temple. ³⁹ You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to the way they live and what is in their hearts. ⁴⁰ Then your people will worship and obey you for as long as they live in the land you gave their ancestors.