²⁷ A man of God came to Eli and said to him,^(A) “This is what the Lord says: ‘Didn’t I reveal myself to your forefather’s family^[a] when they were in Egypt and belonged to Pharaoh’s palace?^{(B) 28} Out of all the tribes of Israel, I chose your house^[b] to be my priests, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence.^(C) I also gave your forefather’s family all the Israelite food offerings. ²⁹ Why, then, do all of you despise my sacrifices and offerings that I require at the place of worship?^(D) You have honored your sons more than me,^(E) by making yourselves fat with the best part of all of the offerings of my people Israel.’

³⁰ “Therefore, this is the declaration of the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I did say that your family and your forefather’s family would walk before me forever.^(F) But now,’ this is the Lord’s declaration, ‘no longer! For those who honor me I will honor,^(G) but those who despise me will be disgraced.^{(H) 31} Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your forefather’s family, so that none in your family will reach old age.^{(I) 32} You will see distress in the place of worship,^(J) in spite of all that is good in Israel, and no one in your family will ever again reach old age.^{(K) 33} Any man from your family I do not cut off from my altar will bring grief^[c] and sadness to you. All your descendants will die violently.^{[d][e] 34} This will be the sign that will come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas:^(L) both of them will die on the same day.^(M)

³⁵ “‘Then I will raise up a faithful priest^(N) for myself. He will do whatever is in my heart and mind. I will establish a lasting dynasty for him,^(O) and he will walk before my anointed one for all time.^{(P) 36} Anyone who is left in your family will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread. He will say: Please appoint me to some priestly office so I can have a piece of bread to eat.’”