1 Samuel 3, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.

Classic

1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

Modern

2At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see),

Classic

2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

Modern

3and God’s lamp hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in the LORD’s temple where God’s ark was,

Classic

3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

Modern

4The LORD called Samuel. He said, “Here I am.”

Classic

4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

Modern

5He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call. Lie down again.” He went and lay down.

Classic

5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

Modern

6The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son. Lie down again.”

Classic

6And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Modern

7Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.

Classic

7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

Modern

8The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Classic

8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Modern

9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, the LORD; for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Classic

9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Modern

10The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

Classic

10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Modern

11The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.

Classic

11And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

Modern

12In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.

Classic

12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

Modern

13For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them.

Classic

13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

Modern

14Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be removed with sacrifice or offering forever.”

Classic

14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Modern

15Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the LORD’s house. Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision.

Classic

15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

Modern

16Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.”

Classic

16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

Modern

17He said, “What is the thing that he has spoken to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you.”

Classic

17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

Modern

18Samuel told him every bit, and hid nothing from him. He said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”

Classic

18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

Modern

19Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

Classic

19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

Modern

20All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Classic

20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Modern

21The LORD appeared again in Shiloh; for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word.

Classic

21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.