1 Samuel 12:20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 12 > Verse 20

◄ 1 Samuel 12:20 ►

New International Version
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

New Living Translation
“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

New American Standard Bible
Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

NASB 1995
Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

NASB 1977
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.

Amplified Bible
Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid. You have [indeed] done all this evil; yet do not turn away from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Christian Standard Bible
Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart.

American Standard Version
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart:

Contemporary English Version
Samuel answered: Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the LORD and worship him with all your heart.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Don't be afraid," Samuel told the people. "You did do all these evil things. But don't turn away from the LORD. Instead, serve the LORD wholeheartedly.

Good News Translation
"Don't be afraid," Samuel answered. "Even though you have done such an evil thing, do not turn away from the LORD, but serve him with all your heart.

International Standard Version
Samuel told all the people, "Don't be afraid. You have done all this evil. Yet don't turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Majority Standard Bible
?Do not be afraid,? Samuel replied. ?Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

NET Bible
Then Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid. You have indeed sinned. However, don't turn aside from the LORD. Serve the LORD with all your heart.

New Heart English Bible
Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Samuel said to 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;

World English Bible
Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Samuel says to the people, “Do not fear; you have done all this evil; only, do not turn aside from after YHWH—and you have served YHWH with all your heart,

Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel saith unto the people, 'Fear not; ye have done all this evil; only, turn not aside from after Jehovah -- and ye have served Jehovah with all your heart,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Samuel will say to the people, Ye shall not be afraid: ye did all this wickedness: but ye shall not turn aside from after Jehovah, and serve ye Jehovah with all your heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Samuel said to the people: Fear not, you have done all this evil: but yet depart not from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Samuel said to the people: “Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil. Yet truly, do not choose to withdraw from the back of the Lord. Instead, serve the Lord with all your heart.

New American Bible
“Do not fear,” Samuel answered them. “You have indeed committed all this evil! Yet do not turn from the LORD, but serve him with your whole heart.

New Revised Standard Version
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;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Samuel said to the people, Fear not; you have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve him with all your heart;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemueil said to the people: “You shall not be afraid! You have done all this evil, however do not turn away from after LORD JEHOVAH, but serve LORD JEHOVAH with all your heart!

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Samuel said unto the people: 'Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: ye have indeed wrought all this iniquity; only turn not from following the Lord, and serve the Lord with all your heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Samuel's Farewell Address
…19They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Psalm 37:27
Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Jeremiah 3:12-14
Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. / “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.

Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Fear not

Exodus 20:19,20
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die…

1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

turn not

Deuteronomy 11:16
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

Deuteronomy 31:29
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Joshua 23:6
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

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1 Samuel 12

1. Samuel testifies his integrity
6. He reproves the people of ingratitude
16. He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time
20. he comforts them in God's mercy

Berean Study Bible

Do not be afraid
This phrase is a common biblical exhortation, often used to reassure God's people in times of fear or uncertainty. The Hebrew root for "afraid" is יָרֵא (yare), which can mean fear, reverence, or awe. In this context, Samuel is calming the Israelites' fear of divine retribution. Historically, this reflects God's consistent message of grace and mercy, encouraging His people to trust in His steadfast love despite their failures.

Samuel replied
Samuel, the last judge and a prophet, plays a pivotal role in Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy. His reply is significant as it comes from a place of spiritual authority and deep connection with God. Samuel's leadership is marked by his dedication to God's will, and his words carry the weight of divine instruction and compassion.

Even though you have committed all this evil
This phrase acknowledges the Israelites' sin of demanding a king, which was seen as a rejection of God's direct rule. The Hebrew word for "evil" is רָעָה (ra'ah), indicating moral wickedness or wrongdoing. This acknowledgment of sin is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it sets the stage for repentance and redemption. It reflects the historical context of Israel's struggle with faithfulness to God amidst external pressures and internal desires.

do not turn aside from following the LORD
The phrase "turn aside" comes from the Hebrew סוּר (sur), meaning to depart or deviate. Samuel urges the Israelites to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, despite their past mistakes. This call to perseverance is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and obedience. Historically, it underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where loyalty to God is paramount.

but serve the LORD
The Hebrew word for "serve" is עָבַד (avad), which implies worship, labor, and service. This call to serve God is a reminder of the Israelites' identity as God's chosen people, set apart to worship Him alone. It highlights the biblical principle that true service to God involves both worship and action, reflecting a life dedicated to His purposes.

with all your heart
The heart, לֵב (lev) in Hebrew, represents the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Serving God with all one's heart implies total devotion and sincerity. This phrase calls for an undivided commitment to God, resonating with the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. It is a timeless exhortation for believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else, ensuring that their actions and intentions align with His will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness.--A very great and precious evangelical truth is contained in these comforting words of the great and good seer. They show how deeply this eminent servant of the Most High had entered into the Eternal thought. No sin or course of sin was too great to be repented of. Afar off these true ministers of the Lord saw, though, perhaps, "in a glass' darkly," the Lamb of God, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. Isaiah often pressed home the same truth to the sinning Israel of his own day in such terms as, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;" and Samuel's words--bidding the people, in spite of the guilty past, yet press on, following the Lord and serving Him with all the heart--were taken up by Samuel's prophet-successors, and repeated in coming ages again and again in such moving exhortations as, "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God" (Hosea 14:1). They were re-echoed by men like Paul, who, with stirring loving words, bade their hearers, forgetting all the things that were behind, their past guilt and failure, press on still fearlessly for the real prize of life.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - Ye have done all this wickedness. The ye is emphatic, and to give its force we should translate, "Ye have indeed done all this evil." From following Jehovah. See on ver. 15.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid,”
תִּירָ֔אוּ (tî·rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

replied.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Even though you
אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have committed
עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם (‘ă·śî·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

this
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

evil,
הָרָעָ֖ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

turn aside
תָּס֙וּרוּ֙ (tā·sū·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from following
מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

but serve
וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

with all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your heart.
לְבַבְכֶֽם׃ (lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

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OT History: 1 Samuel 12:20 Samuel said to the people Don't be (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)