2:22 Now Eli was very old when he heard about everything that his sons used to do to all the people of Israel 5 and how they used to have sex with 6 the women who were stationed at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 2:23 He said to them, “Why do you behave in this way? For I hear about these evil things from all these 7 people. 2:24 This ought not to be, 8 my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the Lord’s people is not good. 2:25 If a man sins against a man, one may appeal to God on his behalf. But if a man sins against the Lord, who then will intercede for him?” But Eli’s sons 9 would not listen to their father, for the Lord had decided 10 to kill them.
2:26 Now the boy Samuel was growing up and finding favor both with the Lord and with people.
2:27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not plainly 11 reveal myself to your ancestor’s 12 house when they were in Egypt in the house of Pharaoh? 2:28 I chose your ancestor 13 from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifice on my altar, to burn incense, and to bear the ephod before me. I gave to your ancestor’s house all the fire offerings made by the Israelites. 2:29 Why are you 14 scorning my sacrifice and my offering that I commanded for my dwelling place? 15 You have honored your sons more than you have me by having made yourselves fat from the best parts of all the offerings of my people Israel.’
2:30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘I really did say 16 that your house and your ancestor’s house would serve 17 me forever.’ But now the Lord says, ‘May it never be! 18 For I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be cursed! 2:31 In fact, days are coming when I will remove your strength 19 and the strength 20 of your father’s house. There will not be an old man in your house! 2:32 You will see trouble in my dwelling place! 21 Israel will experience blessings, 22 but there will not be an old man in your 23 house for all time. 24 2:33 Any one of you that I do not cut off from my altar, I will cause your 25 eyes to fail 26 and will cause you grief. 27 All of those born to your family 28 will die in the prime of life. 29 2:34 This will be a confirming sign for you that will be fulfilled through your two sons, 30 Hophni and Phinehas: in a single day they both will die! 2:35 Then I will raise up for myself a faithful priest. He will do what is in my heart and soul. I will build for him a secure dynasty 31 and he will serve my chosen one for all time. 32 2:36 Everyone who remains in your house will come to bow before him for a little money 33 and for a scrap of bread. Each will say, ‘Assign me to a priestly task so I can eat a scrap of bread.’”