25
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him. But if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him?" Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
26
And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the LORD and also with men.
27
And there came a man of God unto Eli and said unto him, "Thus saith the LORD: `Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
28
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon Mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me? And did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire from the children of Israel?
29
Why kick ye at My sacrifice and at Mine offering which I have commanded in My habitation, and honorest thy sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel My people?'
30
Therefore the LORD God of Israel saith: `I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before Me for ever.' But now the LORD saith, `Be it far from Me; for them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
31
Behold, the days come that I will cut off thine arm and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
32
And thou shalt see an enemy in My habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
33
And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from Mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes and to grieve thine heart; and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
34
And this shall be a sign unto thee that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them.
35
And I will raise Me up a faithful priest who shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind; and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever.