2 Chronicles 6:23

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 from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, requiting 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 punishment to the wrongdoer, so that his sin may come on his head; and, by your decision, keeping from evil him who has done no wrong.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then hear thou from heaven, and do justice to thy servants, so as to requite the wicked by making his wickedness fall upon his own head, and to revenge the just, rewarding him according to his justice.

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, in recompensing the wicked to bring his way vpon his head, and in iustifying the righteous, to giue him according to his righteousnes.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

Translation for Translators

then you listen from heaven, and you 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

World English Bible

then hear from heaven, act, and judge your servants, bringing retribution to 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 from the heavens, and hast done, and hast judged Thy servants, to give back to the wicked, to put his way on his head, and to declare righteous the righteous, to give to him according to his righteousness.

Context

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

²²When 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,²³then 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, King Solomon prays to God, acknowledging that everyone sins and falls short of His glory. He asks for forgiveness for those who repent and confess their sins, emphasizing the importance of turning back to God. Solomon recognizes that God alone knows the hearts of all people and that He will judge each one justly. This prayer reflects the humility and dependence on God that is necessary for seeking forgiveness and restoration.

Commentary