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And there I have placed the ark containing the covenant of ADONAI, which he made with the people of Isra'el."
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Then he stood before the altar of ADONAI in the presence of the whole community of Isra'el, spread out his hands -
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for Shlomo had made a bronze platform eight-and-three quarters feet long, eight-and-three-quarters feet wide and five-and-a-quarter feet high and had set it up in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, then got down on his knees before the whole community, spread out his hands toward heaven,
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and said, "ADONAI, God of Isra'el, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth. You keep covenant with your servants and show them grace, provided they live in your presence with all their heart.
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You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father; you spoke with your mouth and fulfilled it with your hand; so it is today.
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Now therefore, ADONAI, God of Isra'el, keep what you promised to your servant David, my father, when you said, 'You will never lack a man in my presence to sit on the throne of Isra'el, if only your children are careful about what they do, so that they live by my Torah, just as you have lived in my presence.'
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Now therefore, ADONAI, God of Isra'el, please let your word, which you spoke to your servant David, my father, be confirmed.
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"But can God actually live with human beings on the earth? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain you; so how much less this house I have built?
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Even so, ADONAI my God, pay attention to your servant's prayer and plea, listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying before you,
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that your eyes will be open toward this house day and night - toward the place where you said you would put your name - to listen to the prayer your servant will pray toward this place.
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Yes, listen to the pleas of your servant, and also those of your people Isra'el when they pray toward this place. Hear from where you live, from heaven; and when you hear, forgive!