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22 Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.[a] 23 Eli said to them, “I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? 24 You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the Lord’s people are not good. 25 If someone sins against another person, God[b] can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” But Eli’s sons wouldn’t listen to their father, for the Lord was already planning to put them to death.

26 Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the Lord and with the people.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:22 Hebrew Tent of Meeting. Some manuscripts lack this entire sentence.
  2. 2:25 Or the judges.

Judgment against Eli’s Sons

22 Now Eli was very[a] old, and he had heard everything that[b] his sons were doing[c] to the Israelis,[d] and how they lay with the women who were serving regularly[e] at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23 “Why are you doing these things that I’m hearing about?” he asked his sons,[f] “These reports about your evil deeds are coming from all these[g] people! 24 No, my sons, I’m not hearing good news being circulated by the Lord’s people. 25 If a person sins[h] against another, God[i] will mediate for him,[j] but if a person sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”

But they would not follow the advice of[k] their father; for the Lord wanted to put them to death. 26 But the boy Samuel continued to grow both physically and in favor with the Lord and the people.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 2:22 So MT LXX; 4QSama reads was 98 years
  2. 1 Samuel 2:22 So MT; 4QSama LXX read heard what
  3. 1 Samuel 2:22 So 4QSama; MT reads sons would do
  4. 1 Samuel 2:22 So 4QSama LXX; MT reads to all of Israel
  5. 1 Samuel 2:22 Lit. who had assembled in order
  6. 1 Samuel 2:23 Lit. them
  7. 1 Samuel 2:23 So MT; 4QSama LXX read from the Lord’s
  8. 1 Samuel 2:25 So MT; 4QSama LXX read sins gravely
  9. 1 Samuel 2:25 Or a judge
  10. 1 Samuel 2:25 So MT; 4QSama reads another, he will appeal to the Lord
  11. 1 Samuel 2:25 So MT LXX; 4QSama lacks the advice of