2 Chronicles 6:30

Verse

be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of men—

American Standard Version (1901)

then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men);

Bible in Basic English

Then give ear from heaven your living-place, answering with forgiveness, and give to every man, whose secret heart is open to you, the reward of all his ways; (for you, and you only, have knowledge of the hearts of the children of men;)

Douay-Rheims 1899

Hear thou from heaven, from thy high dwelling place, and forgive, and render to every one according to his ways, which thou knowest him to have in his heart: (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

Free Bible Version

then hear from heaven, the place where you live, and forgive. Give according to the way they live their lives, for you know what people are really like inside, and you alone know the true character of people.

Geneva Bible 1599

Heare thou then in heauen, thy dwelling place, and be merciful, and giue euery man according vnto all his wayes, as thou doest knowe his heart (for thou onely knowest the hearts of the children of men)

King James (Authorized) Version

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

Translation for Translators

hear from your home in heaven, and forgive them. You alone know what each person is thinking, so reward each person according to everything that he does,

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then listen from heaven, the place where you live; forgive, and reward every person for all his ways; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of human beings.

Noah Webster Bible

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

World English Bible

then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men),

Young's Literal Translation

then Thou dost hear from the heavens, the settled place of Thy dwelling, and hast forgiven, and hast given to each according to all his ways (because Thou knowest his heart, for Thou — Thou only — hast known the heart of the sons of men),

Context

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

²⁹then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple—³⁰be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of men—³¹so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon prays to God during the dedication of the temple, acknowledging that all people sin and fall short of God's glory. He asks God to hear their prayers and forgive them when they repent and turn back to Him. Solomon recognizes the human condition of sinfulness and the need for divine mercy and forgiveness, demonstrating humility and reliance on God's grace. This prayer reflects the importance of confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness as essential components of maintaining a relationship with God. It serves as a model for believers to approach God with contrite hearts, seeking His mercy and restoration.

Commentary