1 I was so happy when they said to me, “Let's go the house of the Lord.”

2 Now we're standing inside your gates, Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem is built as a city where people can be together.* “Where people can be together,” or, “that is closely joined together.”

4 All the tribes—the tribes of the Lord—go up there, following the command given to Israel to give thanks to the Lord.

5 This is where the thrones are placed, where judgment is given, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray that Jerusalem may be at peace. May everyone who loves Jerusalem be kept safe.

7 May there be peace within your walls, and safety within your fortresses.

8 On behalf of my family and friends, I will now say, “May you be at peace.”

9 On behalf of the house of the Lord our God, I pray that everything goes well for you.