²² Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything^(A) his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women^(B) who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ²³ So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. ²⁴ No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. ²⁵ If one person sins against another, God^[a] may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will^(C) intercede^(D) for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

²⁶ And the boy Samuel continued to grow^(E) in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.^(F)