1 Samuel 12

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

Samuel spoke to all of Israel, "Listen, I've heard your requests and have appointed a king for you."

And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

Look, your king leads you now. I, now old and grey, have guided you from my youth till today, and my sons stand beside you.

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Look, I stand before you and God, ready for judgement. Have I stolen or cheated anyone? Have I hurt or oppressed anyone? Have I been blinded by bribes? If so, I promise to make it right.

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.

They affirmed, "You've been fair, never burdening us or taking from anyone unjustly."

And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

He told them, "God sees your actions and His chosen one confirms today that you've found no fault in me." They agreed, "Yes, He is our witness."

And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

Samuel told the people, "Remember, it was God who elevated Moses and Aaron, and rescued your ancestors from Egypt."

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

Now stand still, so that I can confront you before the LORD with all the righteous things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors.

When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

When Jacob arrived in Egypt, your ancestors pleaded with God for help. In response, God sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and establish them in their new home.

And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

When they forgot about God, He handed them over to their enemies, like Sisera, commander of Hazor's army, the Philistines, and the king of Moab, who battled against them.

And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

In deep remorse, they called out to God, admitting, "We've done wrong, we've turned away from You and worshipped false gods. But now, save us from our foes, and we promise to follow You."

And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

God, with love and care, dispatched Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel. They rescued you from the clutches of your enemies, providing safety and peace on all sides.

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.

When you saw Nahash, the Ammonite king, threatening you, you rejected me, insisting on having a human king, even though God was already your king.

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

Look, here is the king you chose and wanted! God has indeed appointed him as your leader.

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:

If you respect and serve God, listen to His words, and don't go against His rules, then both you and your leader will keep walking on God's path.

But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

If you choose not to listen to God's voice and defy His rules, then you'll face His wrath, just like your ancestors did.

Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.

Now, stand firm and witness the magnificent miracle that God is about to perform right before your eyes.

Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

Isn't it time for the wheat harvest? I'll pray to God, and He will send thunder and rain. This will show you the magnitude of your wrongdoings, which you've committed before God by demanding a king.

So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

In his deep prayer, Samuel reached out to God. In response, God unleashed a storm of thunder and rain that day. This powerful display of divine might filled everyone with great fear of both God and Samuel.

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

The people pleaded with Samuel, "Please, pray to your God for us, so we may not die. We've sinned greatly, even asking for a king."

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

Samuel reassured the people, "Don't be afraid. You have done all this evil, yet don't stray from God's path. Instead, devote your whole heart to serving Him."

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

Don't be swayed by worthless pursuits; they bring no benefit or salvation, for they are empty and meaningless.

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

God will never abandon you, His cherished people, because His reputation is tied to you. He delights in calling you His own.

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

I could never bear the guilt of sinning against God by not praying for you. Instead, I promise to guide you towards goodness and righteousness.

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

Respect and love God deeply, serve Him honestly with your whole heart. Remember, He's done incredible things for you.

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

If you continue to do wrong, both you and your leader will face ruin.