1 Kings 8:32

Verse

then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

American Standard Version (1901)

then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head, and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Bible in Basic English

Then let your ear be open in heaven, and be the judge of your servants, giving your decision against the wrongdoer, so that punishment for his sins may come on his head; and, by your decision, keeping from evil him who has done no wrong.

Free Bible Version

listen from heaven—act and judge your servants. Pay back the guilty; vindicate and reward those who do right.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then heare thou in heauen, and doe and iudge thy seruants, that thou condemne the wicked to bring his way vpon his head, and iustifie the righteous, to giue him according to his righteousnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Translation for Translators

then you listen from heaven, and decide who is telling the truth. Then punish the person who is guilty as he deserves to be punished, and declare that the other person is innocent.

Unlocked Literal Bible

listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness.

Noah Webster Bible

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

World English Bible

then hear in heaven, and act, and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation

then Thou dost hear in the heavens, and hast done, and hast judged Thy servants, to declare wicked the wicked, to put his way on his head, and to declare righteous the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Context

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

³¹When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,³²then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

Summary

In this verse, Solomon prays to God, asking Him to hear the supplications of His people when they pray towards the temple. Solomon acknowledges that everyone sins and offends God, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and mercy. The verse reflects the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness through prayer and humility. Solomon's prayer highlights the central role of the temple as a place of worship and intercession for the Israelites. Overall, it underscores the significance of seeking God's grace and forgiveness in times of need.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then hear thou in heaven,.... When the injured person makes supplication to have justice done him: and do, and judge thy servants; contending with one another, the one affirming, the other denying condemning the wicked, by bringing his way upon his head: inflicting upon him the punishment imprecated by him in his oath: and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness; by making it appear that his cause is just.

1 Kings 8:32

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

American Standard Version (1901)

then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head, and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Bible in Basic English

Free Bible Version

listen from heaven—act and judge your servants. Pay back the guilty; vindicate and reward those who do right.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then heare thou in heauen, and doe and iudge thy seruants, that thou condemne the wicked to bring his way vpon his head, and iustifie the righteous, to giue him according to his righteousnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Translation for Translators

then you listen from heaven, and decide who is telling the truth. Then punish the person who is guilty as he deserves to be punished, and declare that the other person is innocent.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Noah Webster Bible

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

World English Bible

then hear in heaven, and act, and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation