1 Samuel 2

1 *Lk 1.46-55.Hannah prayed:

You make me strong

and happy, Lord.

You rescued me.

Now I can be glad

and laugh at my enemies.

2 No other god*2.2 god: The Hebrew text has "holy one," a term for supernatural beings or gods. is like you.

And with you we are safer

than on a high mountain.*2.2 mountain: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 2.

3 I can tell those proud people,

"Stop your boasting!

Nothing is hidden from the Lord,

and he judges what we do."

4 Our Lord, you break

the bows of warriors,

but you give strength

to everyone who stumbles.

5 People who once

had plenty to eat

must now hire themselves out

for only a piece of bread.

But you give the hungry more

than enough to eat.

A woman did not have a child,

and you gave her seven,

but a woman who had many

was left with none.

6 *Ws 16.13; Tb 13.2.You take away life,

and you give life.

You send people down

to the world of the dead

and bring them back again.

7 Our Lord, you are the one

who makes us rich or poor.

You put some in high positions

and bring disgrace on others.

8 You lift the poor and homeless

out of the garbage dump

and give them places of honor

in royal palaces.

You set the world on foundations,

and they belong to you.

9 You protect your loyal people,

but everyone who is evil

will die in darkness.

We cannot win a victory

by our own strength.

10 Our Lord, those who attack you

will be broken in pieces

when you fight back

with thunder from heaven.

You will judge the whole earth

and give power and strength

to your chosen king.