The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

2 Samuel 7

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

2 Samuel chapter 7 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “And it came to pass, when the king dwelt in his house, and HaShem had given him rest from all his enemies round about,” — the complete text of all 29 verses is below, free to read online.

1And it came to pass, when the king dwelt in his house, and HaShem had given him rest from all his enemies round about,

2that the king said unto Nathan the prophet: 'See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of G-d dwelleth within curtains.'

3And Nathan said to the king: 'Go, do all that is in thy heart; for HaShem is with thee.'

4And it came to pass the same night, that the word of HaShem came unto Nathan, saying:

5'Go and tell My servant David: Thus saith HaShem: Shalt thou build Me a house for Me to dwell in?

6for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7In all places wherein I have walked among all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people Israel, saying: Why have ye not built Me a house of cedar?

8Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto My servant David: Thus saith HaShem of hosts: I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over My people, over Israel.

9And I have been with thee whithersoever thou didst go, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a great name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth.

10And I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disquieted no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,

11even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies. Moreover HaShem telleth thee that HaShem will make thee a house.

12When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son; if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;

15but My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

16And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee; thy throne shall be established for ever.'

17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

18Then David the king went in, and sat before HaShem; and he said: 'Who am I, O L-rd GOD, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me thus far?

19And this was yet a small thing in Thine eyes, O L-rd GOD; but Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come; and this too after the manner of great men, O L-rd GOD.

20And what can David say more unto Thee? for Thou knowest Thy servant, O L-rd GOD.

21For Thy word's sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make Thy servant know it.

22Therefore Thou art great, O HaShem G-d; for there is none like Thee, neither is there any G-d beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23And who is like Thy people, like Israel, a nation one in the earth, whom G-d went to redeem unto Himself for a people, and to make Him a name, and to do for Thy land great things and tremendous, even for you, in driving out from before Thy people, whom Thou didst redeem to Thee out of Egypt, the nations and their gods?

24And Thou didst establish to Thyself Thy people Israel to be a people unto Thee for ever; and Thou, HaShem, becamest their G-d.

25And now, O HaShem G-d, the word that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm Thou it for ever, and do as Thou hast spoken.

26And let Thy name be magnified for ever, that it may be said: HaShem of hosts is G-d over Israel; and the house of Thy servant David shall be established before Thee.

27For Thou, O HaShem of hosts, the G-d of Israel, hast revealed to Thy servant, saying: I will build thee a house; therefore hath Thy servant taken heart to pray this prayer unto Thee.

28And now, O L-rd GOD, Thou alone art G-d, and Thy words are truth, and Thou hast promised this good thing unto Thy servant;

29now therefore let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue for ever before Thee; for Thou, O L-rd GOD, hast spoken it; and through Thy blessing let the house of Thy servant be blessed for ever.'

29 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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