Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Chronicles 5
¹⁰ Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left Egypt.
¹¹ Then the priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day.
¹² And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets.
¹³ The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD.
¹⁴ The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.
2 Chronicles 6
¹ Then Solomon prayed, “O LORD, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness.
² Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!”
³ Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing:
⁴ “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father,
⁵ ‘From the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. Nor have I chosen a king to lead my people Israel.
⁶ But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place for my name to be honored, and I have chosen David to be king over my people Israel.’”