1 Kings 8:50

Verse

May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.

American Standard Version (1901)

and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

Bible in Basic English

Answering with forgiveness the people who have done wrong against you, and overlooking the evil which they have done against you; let those who made them prisoners be moved with pity for them, and have pity on them;

Free Bible Version

Forgive your people who have sinned against you, all the rebellious acts they have committed against you. Please make those who have captured them show mercy to them.

Geneva Bible 1599

And be mercifull vnto thy people that haue sinned against thee, and vnto all their iniquities (wherein they haue transgressed against thee) and cause that they, which led them away captiues, may haue pitie and compassion on them:

King James (Authorized) Version

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

Translation for Translators

Forgive them for all the sins that they have committed against you, and cause their enemies to be kind to them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and make them objects of compassion before their conquerors, and cause their conquerors to have compassion on them.

Noah Webster Bible

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

World English Bible

and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against you; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

Young's Literal Translation

and hast forgiven Thy people who have sinned against Thee, even all their transgressions which they have transgressed against Thee, and hast given them mercies before their captors, and they have had mercy [on] them —

Context

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

⁴⁹then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.⁵⁰May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon prays to God during the dedication of the temple, asking for forgiveness and mercy for the people of Israel when they sin against Him. Solomon acknowledges that all people sin and fall short of God's glory, and he seeks God's compassion and understanding in times of repentance. This prayer reflects the humility and dependence on God that is necessary for a relationship with Him, emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness and restoration through sincere repentance.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

And give them compassion before them who carried them captive - He does not pray that they may be delivered out of that captivity, but that their enemies may use them well; and that they may, as formerly, be kept a separate and distinct people.