⁷ The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that he will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people.

⁵ Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah,^(A) and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”^{(B) 6} When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence.^(C) They fasted that day,^(D) and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”^(E) And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

⁷ When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. ⁸ The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, so that he will save us from the Philistines.”

⁹ Then Samuel took a young lamb^(F) and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord answered him.^(G)

⁹ God is my witness,^(A) whom I serve with my spirit^(B) in telling the good news about his Son—that I constantly mention you,^{(C) 10} always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you.^(D)