The Sovereign LORD says, "I will once again let the Israelites ask me for help, and I will let them increase in numbers like a flock of sheep.

And you are my friends if you do what I command you.

I do not call you servants any longer, because servants do not know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because I have told you everything I heard from my Father.

I will keep the promise I made to your father David when I told him that Israel would always be ruled by his descendants.

When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong.

I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son.

You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.' "

If you obey him, the LORD will keep the promise he made when he told me that my descendants would rule Israel as long as they were careful to obey his commands faithfully with all their heart and soul.

"If you obey all my laws and commands, I will do for you what I promised your father David.

If your sons are true to my covenant and to the commands I give them, their sons, also, will succeed you for all time as kings."

Your constant love is my guide; your faithfulness always leads me.

Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD.