²² Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel^(A) and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.^{(B) 23} He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people. ²⁴ No, my sons, the report I hear from the Lord’s people is not good. ²⁵ If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him, but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”^(C) But they would not listen to their father, since the Lord intended to kill them.^{(D) 26} By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.^(E)