God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways.

But do not let any of them persuade you; do not even listen to them. Show them no mercy or pity, and do not protect them.

"Suppose you hear that in one of your towns some men or women have sinned against the LORD and broken his covenant

If you hear such a report, then investigate it thoroughly. If it is true that this evil thing has happened in Israel,

This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They retreat from them because they themselves have now been condemned to destruction! I will not stay with you any longer unless you destroy the things you were ordered not to take!

I have already told him that I am going to punish his family forever because his sons have spoken evil things against me. Eli knew they were doing this, but he did not stop them.

So I solemnly declare to the family of Eli that no sacrifice or offering will ever be able to remove the consequences of this terrible sin."

The prophet then said to the king, "This is the word of the LORD: 'Because you allowed the man to escape whom I had ordered to be killed, you will pay for it with your life, and your army will be destroyed for letting his army escape.' "

But there are a few things I have against you: there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak how to lead the people of Israel into sin by persuading them to eat food that had been offered to idols and to practice sexual immorality.