1 Samuel 12:19-25

English Standard Version

¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, ^(A)“Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” ²⁰ And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet ^(B)do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. ²¹ And ^(C)do not turn aside after ^(D)empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. ^22 (E)For the Lord will not forsake his people, ^(F)for his great name's sake, because ^(G)it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. ²³ Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing ^(H)to pray for you, ^(I)and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. ^24 (J)Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider ^(K)what great things he has done for you. ²⁵ But if you still do wickedly, ^(L)you shall be swept away, ^(M)both you and your king.”