4Now I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God in order to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him,2:4 Ex 30:7 for displaying the rows of the Bread of the Presence continuously,2:4 Ex 25:30 and for sacrificing burnt offerings for the morning and the evening,2:4 Ex 29:38–42 the Sabbaths2:4 Nm 28:9–10 and the New Moons, and the appointed festivals of the Lord our God. This is ordained for Israel permanently.

5The temple that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than any of the gods.2:5 Ex 15:11; 1Ch 16:25

6But who is able to build a temple for him, since even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain him?2:6 1Kg 8:27; 2Ch 6:18 Who am I then that I should build a temple for him except as a place to burn incense before him?

7Therefore, send me an artisan who is skilled in engraving to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with the artisans who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem,2:7 Ex 31:3–5; 2Ch 2:13–14 appointed by my father David.2:7 1Ch 22:14–16; 28:21

8Also, send me cedar, cypress, and algum2:8 = almug in 1Kg 10:11–122:8 1Kg 10:11–12 logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut the trees of Lebanon. Note that my servants will be with your servants2:8–9 2Ch 9:10–11

9to prepare logs for me in abundance because the temple I am building will be great and wondrous.

10I will give your servants, the woodcutters who cut the trees, one hundred twenty thousand bushels2:10 Lit 20,000 cors of wheat flour, one hundred twenty thousand bushels of barley, one hundred twenty thousand gallons2:10 Lit 20,000 baths of wine, and one hundred twenty thousand gallons of oil.

13I have now sent Huram-abi,2:13 Lit Huram my father a skillful man who has understanding.2:13–14 1Kg 7:14

14He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan. His father is a man of Tyre. He knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, with purple, blue, crimson yarn, and fine linen. He knows how to do all kinds of engraving and to execute any design that may be given him. I have sent him to be with your artisans and the artisans of my lord, your father David.

15Now, let my lord send the wheat, barley, oil, and wine to his servants as promised.2:15 2Ch 2:10

16We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and bring them to you as rafts by sea to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.2:16 1Kg 5:8–9