1 Samuel 12:23
New International Version
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

New Living Translation
“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.

New American Standard Bible
Furthermore, as for me, far be it from me that I would sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

NASB 1995
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

NASB 1977
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and upright way.

Amplified Bible
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

Christian Standard Bible
“As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.

American Standard Version
Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And I, God forbid me that I would sin against LORD JEHOVAH and I would not pray for you, and I shall teach you the good way and uprightness

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And far be it from me to sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will serve the Lord, and shew you the good and the right way.

Contemporary English Version
I would be disobeying the LORD if I stopped praying for you! I will always teach you how to live right.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And far from me be this sin against the Lord, that I should cease to pray for you, and I will teach you the good and right way.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It would be unthinkable for me to sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. I will go on teaching you the way that is good and right.

Good News Translation
As for me, the LORD forbid that I should sin against him by no longer praying for you. Instead, I will teach you what is good and right for you to do.

International Standard Version
Now as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I'll also instruct you in the way that is good and right.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Literal Standard Version
I, also, far be it from me to sin against YHWH, by ceasing to pray for you, and I have directed you in the good and upright way;

Majority Standard Bible
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

New American Bible
As for me, far be it from me to sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you and to teach you the good and right way.

NET Bible
As far as I am concerned, far be it from me to sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you! I will instruct you in the way that is good and upright.

New Revised Standard Version
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.

New Heart English Bible
Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover as for me, Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

World English Bible
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Young's Literal Translation
'I, also, far be it from me to sin against Jehovah, by ceasing to pray for you, and I have directed you in the good and upright way;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel's Farewell Address
22Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own. 23As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way. 24Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.…

Cross References
Romans 1:9
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.

Exodus 32:30
The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

1 Samuel 12:19
They 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."


Treasury of Scripture

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:

God forbid

Acts 12:5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Colossians 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

in ceasing [heb] from ceasing

Psalm 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Proverbs 4:11
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Ecclesiastes 12:10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

the good

1 Kings 8:36
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 6:27
Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

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Ceasing Directed Instruct Moreover Orders Prayers Right Sin Teach Upright Way
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














(23) Moreover, as for me.--"In this he sets a glorious example to all rulers, showing them that they should not be led astray by the ingratitude of their subordinates or subjects; and give up on that account all interest in their welfare, but should rather persevere all the more in their anxiety for them."--Berleb. Bible, quoted in Lange. Moses and Samuel, wrote S. Gregory, are especially brought forward by the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:1) as having extraordinary power with Him, and why? because they prayed for their enemies. Samuel's impassioned answer when the Elders asked his prayers, "Pray for you!" God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.

I will teach you.--The old man felt that in the future, although his powers as Judge were not abrogated yet, there would be, comparatively speaking, save on special occasions, but little opportunity for their exercise. In the presence of the regular authority of a king surrounded by armed men, such authority as he had wielded as Judge over the hearts of Israel must fall into abeyance.

But one, and that a still higher office, still remained to him untouched by the great constitutional change that had passed over Israel--that of prophet. In this sphere, while he lived, he said he would work ceaselessly on; and the words he used on this solemn occasion tell out to all ages that the true function of the prophet or the preacher of the Eternal is to teach the people the good and the right way; and Samuel's own life of brave self-denial and noble self-effacement showed men that this teaching must be pressed home by something more than mere words. "Only a Samuel could thus quit office, proudly challenging all to convict him of one single injustice in his past career; and by the act of resignation gaining, not losing, greatness. No longer judge and ruler, but simple prophet, he is able now to discourse with greater freedom of the monarchy about to be introduced, and he seizes the moment to cast a more distant glance into all the past and future of the community."--Ewald: History of Israel, Book III., 1-3.

Verse 23. - God forbid, Hebrew, "Far be it from me." That I should sin... in ceasing to pray for you. In no character of the Old Testament does this duty of intercessory prayer stand forward so prominently as in Samuel (see ver. 19); nor does he rest content with this, but adds, I will teach you the good and the right way. This was a far higher office than that of ruler; and not only was Samuel earnest in discharging this prophetic office of teaching, but he made provision for a supply of teachers and preachers for all future time by founding the schools of the prophets.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As for
גַּ֣ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

me,
אָנֹכִ֗י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

far be it from me
חָלִ֤ילָה (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

that I
לִּי֙ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

should sin
מֵחֲטֹ֣א (mê·ḥă·ṭō)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

against the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

by ceasing
מֵחֲדֹ֖ל (mê·ḥă·ḏōl)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

to pray
לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל (lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

for you.
בַּעַדְכֶ֑ם (ba·‘aḏ·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

And I will continue to teach
וְהוֹרֵיתִ֣י (wə·hō·w·rê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

you
אֶתְכֶ֔ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the good
הַטּוֹבָ֖ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and right
וְהַיְשָׁרָֽה׃ (wə·hay·šā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

way.
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action


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OT History: 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me far be it (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 12:22
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