6
The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.
8
He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and on them he has set the world.
9
"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones; but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail.
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The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed."
11
Then Elka'nah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to the LORD, in the presence of Eli the priest.
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Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they had no regard for the LORD.
13
The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand,
14
and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. So they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
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Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw."
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And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force."