25. If someone sins against another, anyone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for the sinner?” But they disregarded their father’s warning, since the Lord wanted them dead.
26. Meanwhile, young Samuel was growing in stature and in worth in the estimation of the Lord and the people.
27. A man of God came to Eli and said to him: “Thus says the Lord: I went so far as to reveal myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt as slaves to the house of Pharaoh.
28. I chose them out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priests, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the ephod in my presence; and I assigned all the fire offerings of the Israelites to your father’s house.
29. Why do you stare greedily at my sacrifices and at the offerings that I have prescribed? Why do you honor your sons more than you honor me, fattening yourselves with the choicest part of every offering of my people Israel?
30. This, therefore, is the oracle of the Lord, the God of Israel: I said in the past that your family and your father’s house should minister in my presence forever. But now—oracle of the Lord: Far be it from me! I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me shall be cursed.
31. Yes, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in your family lives to old age.
32. You shall witness, like a disappointed rival, all the benefits enjoyed by Israel, but no member of your household shall ever grow old.