25
"If one mansins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a mansins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORDdesired to put them to death.
27
Then a man of Godcame to Eli and said to him, "Thussays the LORD, 'Did I not indeedreveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh'shouse?
28
'Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burnincense, to carry an ephodbefore Me; and did I not give to the house of your fatherall the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?
29
'Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offeringwhich I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sonsabove Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of everyoffering of My peopleIsrael?'
30
"Therefore the LORDGod of Israeldeclares, 'I did indeedsay that your house and the house of your father should walkbefore Me forever* '; but now the LORDdeclares, 'Far be it from Me-for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightlyesteemed.
31
'Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father'shouseso that there will not be an oldman in your house.
33
'Yet I will not cutoffeveryman of yours from My altar so that your eyes will fail from weeping and your soulgrieve, and all the increase of your house will die in the prime of life.