1 Samuel 12:19-24

Contemporary English Version

¹⁹ They told Samuel, “Please, pray to the Lord your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king.”

²⁰ Samuel answered:

Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the Lord and worship him with all your heart. ²¹ Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble. ²² But the Lord has chosen you to be his own people. He will always take care of you so that everyone will know how great he is.

²³ I would be disobeying the Lord if I stopped praying for you! I will always teach you how to live right. ²⁴ You also must obey the Lord—you must worship him with all your heart and remember the great things he has done for you.