17. Therefore, the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men despised the present of the Lord.
18. But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19. Moreover his mother made him a little coat and brought it to him each year when she came up with her husband to offer the accustomed sacrifice.
20. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of the Lord. And they went unto their own home.
21. And the Lord visited Hannah so that she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
22. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that served at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony.
23. And he said unto them, Why do ye do such things? For I hear from all the people of your evil dealings.
24. No, my sons, for it is no good report that I hear that ye cause the people of the Lord to transgress.
25. If one man sins against another, the judges shall judge him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they did not hearken unto the voice of their father because the Lord had already decided to kill them.
26. And the child Samuel kept on growing and was in favour both with the Lord and also with men.