¹³ It shall be for him and for his descendants after him a covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.’ ”^(A)

²⁰ And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart,

²³ Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.^(A)

¹² It may be that the Lord will look on my distress,^[a] and the Lord will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.”^(A)