17. “Is today not the wheat harvest? Let me call to יהוה, so that He sends thunder and rain – know then and see that your evil is great, which you have done in the eyes of יהוה, in asking for yourselves a sovereign.”
18. And Shemu’ĕl called to יהוה, and יהוה sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared יהוה and Shemu’ĕl.
19. And all the people said to Shemu’ĕl, “Pray for your servants to יהוה your Elohim, that we do not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil of asking for ourselves a sovereign.”
20. And Shemu’ĕl said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this evil. Only, do not turn aside from following יהוה. And you shall serve יהוה with all your heart,
21. and do not turn aside after worthless matters which do not profit or deliver, for they are worthless.
22. “For יהוה would not cast away His people, for His great Name’s sake, seeing it has pleased יהוה to make you His people.
23. “Also, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against יהוה in ceasing to pray for you, but I shall teach you the good and straight way.
24. “Only fear יהוה, and you shall serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider what marvels He has done for you.
25. “But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your sovereign are consumed.”