to go back to Hezekiah, ruler of the LORD's people, and say to him, "I, the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and in three days you will go to the Temple.

You will listen, O LORD, to the prayers of the lowly; you will give them courage.

But God has indeed heard me; he has listened to my prayer.

I love the LORD, because he hears me; he listens to my prayers.

When you began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.

I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me."

and said: 'Cornelius! God has heard your prayer and has taken notice of your works of charity.

We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will.

As the priests were leaving the Temple, it was suddenly filled with a cloud

shining with the dazzling light of the LORD's presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties.

In six days I, the LORD, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the LORD, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.

They became holy when they were presented at the LORD's altar. So take the fire pans of these who were put to death for their sin, beat them into thin plates, and make a covering for the altar. It will be a warning to the people of Israel."

This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored;

Watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have chosen to be worshiped. Hear me when I face this Temple and pray.

Out of the territory of all your tribes the LORD will choose the one place where the people are to come into his presence and worship him.

The LORD will choose a single place where he is to be worshiped, and there you must bring to him everything that I have commanded: your sacrifices that are to be burned and your other sacrifices, your tithes and your offerings, and those special gifts that you have promised to the LORD.

If the one place of worship is too far away, then, whenever you wish, you may kill any of the cattle or sheep that the LORD has given you, and you may eat the meat at home, as I have told you.

Be joyful in the LORD's presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. Do this at the one place of worship.

The LORD your God takes care of this land and watches over it throughout the year.

"Now, O my God, look on us and listen to the prayers offered in this place.

I will watch over this Temple and be ready to hear all the prayers that are offered here,

because I have chosen it and consecrated it as the place where I will be worshiped forever. I will watch over it and protect it for all time.

The LORD has chosen Zion; he wants to make it his home:

"This is where I will live forever; this is where I want to rule.

The look in your eyes, my sweetheart and bride, and the necklace you are wearing have stolen my heart.

Your love delights me, my sweetheart and bride. Your love is better than wine; your perfume more fragrant than any spice.

Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel were standing here pleading with me, I would not show these people any mercy. Make them go away; make them get out of my sight.