23. And he said to them, “Why do you do deeds like these? For I hear of your evil deeds from all the people.
24. “No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear: making the people of יהוה transgress.
25. “If one man sins against another, Elohim shall judge him. But if a man sins against יהוה, who shall pray for him?” But they did not listen to the voice of their father, though יהוה was pleased to put them to death.
26. And the young Shemu’ĕl was growing in stature, and was in favour with יהוה and also with men.
27. And a man of Elohim came to Ěli and said to him, “Thus said יהוה, ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Mitsrayim in Pharaoh’s house,
28. even to choose him out of all the tribes of Yisra’ĕl to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear a shoulder garment before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Yisra’ĕl made by fire?
29. ‘Why do you kick at My slaughtering and My offering which I have commanded in My Dwelling Place, and esteem your sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Yisra’ĕl My people?’
30. “Therefore יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl declares, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now יהוה declares, ‘Far be it from Me, for those who highly esteem Me I highly esteem, and those who despise Me are lightly esteemed.
31. ‘See, the days are coming that I shall cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that an old man shall not be found in your house.