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Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
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The NET Bible®
1 Samuel 12:21
You should not turn aside after empty things that can't profit and can't deliver, since they are empty.
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Christian Standard Bible®
Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.
Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.
Hebrew Names Version
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
King James Version
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Lexham English Bible
And do not turn aside after the triviality, which have no value and cannot deliver, for they are triviality.
And do not turn aside after the triviality, which have no value and cannot deliver, for they are triviality.
English Standard Version
And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
New Century Version
Idols are of no use, so don't worship them. They can't help you or save you. They are useless!
Idols are of no use, so don't worship them. They can't help you or save you. They are useless!
Amplified Bible
"You must not turn away, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or rescue, because they are futile.
"You must not turn away, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or rescue, because they are futile.
New American Standard Bible
"Indeed, you must not turn aside, for then you would go after useless things which cannot benefit or save, because they are useless.
"Indeed, you must not turn aside, for then you would go after useless things which cannot benefit or save, because they are useless.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Neither turne yee backe: for that shoulde be after vaine things which cannot profite you, nor deliuer you, for they are but vanitie)
Neither turne yee backe: for that shoulde be after vaine things which cannot profite you, nor deliuer you, for they are but vanitie)
Legacy Standard Bible
And you must not turn aside, for then you would go after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless.
And you must not turn aside, for then you would go after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless.
Contemporary English Version
Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble.
Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble.
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't turn to the side; because then you would go after useless things that can neither help nor rescue, they are so futile.
Don't turn to the side; because then you would go after useless things that can neither help nor rescue, they are so futile.
Darby Translation
and turn ye not aside; for [it would be] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
and turn ye not aside; for [it would be] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Easy-to-Read Version
Idols are only statues—they can't help you. So don't worship them. Idols can't help you or save you. They are nothing!
Idols are only statues—they can't help you. So don't worship them. Idols can't help you or save you. They are nothing!
George Lamsa Translation
And do not turn aside after vain things which cannot deliver you; that you may not die, for they are vain things.
And do not turn aside after vain things which cannot deliver you; that you may not die, for they are vain things.
Good News Translation
Don't go after false gods; they cannot help you or save you, for they are not real.
Don't go after false gods; they cannot help you or save you, for they are not real.
Literal Translation
And do not turn aside to go after worthless things which do not profit and do not deliver, for they are worthless.
And do not turn aside to go after worthless things which do not profit and do not deliver, for they are worthless.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and go not asyde after vanite, for it profyteth you nothinge, and can not delyuer you, in so moch as it is but a vayne thinge.
and go not asyde after vanite, for it profyteth you nothinge, and can not delyuer you, in so moch as it is but a vayne thinge.
American Standard Version
and turn ye not aside; for then would ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and turn ye not aside; for then would ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
Bible in Basic English
And do not go from the right way turning to those false gods in which there is no profit and no salvation, for they are false.
And do not go from the right way turning to those false gods in which there is no profit and no salvation, for they are false.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Neither turne ye away, for [then ye go] after vayne thinges, which are not able to profite you, nor deliuer you, for they are but vanitie.)
Neither turne ye away, for [then ye go] after vayne thinges, which are not able to profite you, nor deliuer you, for they are but vanitie.)
JPS Old Testament (1917)
and turn ye not aside; for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and turn ye not aside; for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
King James Version (1611)
And turne ye not aside, for then should ye goe after vaine things, which cannot profit, nor deliuer, for they are vaine.)
And turne ye not aside, for then should ye goe after vaine things, which cannot profit, nor deliuer, for they are vaine.)
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And turn not aside after the gods that are nothing, who will do nothing, and will not deliver you, because they are nothing.
And turn not aside after the gods that are nothing, who will do nothing, and will not deliver you, because they are nothing.
English Revised Version
and turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
Berean Standard Bible
Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and nyle ye bowe aftir veyn thingis, that schulen not profite to you, nether schulen delyuere you; for tho ben veyn thingis.
and nyle ye bowe aftir veyn thingis, that schulen not profite to you, nether schulen delyuere you; for tho ben veyn thingis.
Young's Literal Translation
and ye do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they [are] vain,
and ye do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they [are] vain,
Update Bible Version
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
Webster's Bible Translation
And turn ye not aside: for then [would ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.
And turn ye not aside: for then [would ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.
World English Bible
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
New King James Version
And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.
And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.
New Living Translation
Don't go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!
Don't go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!
New Life Bible
Do not turn aside after things that have no worth and cannot save you, for they are nothing.
Do not turn aside after things that have no worth and cannot save you, for they are nothing.
New Revised Standard
and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.
and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and turn not aside after vanities, that can neither profit nor deliver, because, vanities, they are.
and turn not aside after vanities, that can neither profit nor deliver, because, vanities, they are.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And turn not aside after vain things, which shall never profit you, nor deliver you, because they are vain.
And turn not aside after vain things, which shall never profit you, nor deliver you, because they are vain.
Revised Standard Version
and do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain.
and do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.
"You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.
Contextual Overview
16 "So now, take your positions and watch this great thing that the Lord is about to do in your sight. 17 Is this not the time of the wheat harvest? I will call on the Lord so that he makes it thunder and rain. Realize and see what a great sin you have committed before the Lord by asking for a king for yourselves." 18 So Samuel called to the Lord , and the Lord made it thunder and rain that day. All the people were very afraid of both the Lord and Samuel. 19 All the people said to Samuel, "Pray to the Lord your God on behalf of us—your servants—so we won't die, for we have added to all our sins by asking for a king." 20 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. 21 You should not turn aside after empty things that can't profit and can't deliver, since they are empty. 22 The Lord will not abandon his people because he wants to uphold his great reputation. The Lord was pleased to make you his own people. 23 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. 24 However, fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Just look at the great things he has done for you! 25 But if you continue to do evil, both you and your king will be swept away."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
vain things: Deuteronomy 32:21, Jeremiah 2:5, Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 10:8, Jeremiah 10:15, Jeremiah 14:22, Jeremiah 16:19, Jonah 2:8, Habakkuk 2:18, 1 Corinthians 8:4
cannot profit: Psalms 115:4-8, Isaiah 41:23, Isaiah 41:24, Isaiah 44:9, Isaiah 44:10, Isaiah 45:20, Isaiah 46:7, Jeremiah 10:15
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:13 - vanities 1 Kings 22:43 - he turned 2 Kings 17:15 - vanity Psalms 4:2 - love Psalms 101:3 - them Ecclesiastes 5:16 - what Song of Solomon 1:7 - for Jeremiah 2:8 - do not Mark 7:7 - in vain Acts 14:15 - from 1 Corinthians 14:6 - what shall I 2 Timothy 2:14 - to no
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And turn ye not aside,.... From his worship: for then; if they turned aside from that:
should ye go after vain things; idols, which are vanity, and less than vanity:
which cannot profit nor deliver; neither bestow good things on their votaries, nor deliver them from evils, or from the hands of their enemies
for they are vain; empty, useless, and unprofitable; an idol is nothing in the world, 1 Corinthians 8:4.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Samuel 12:21. After vain things — That is, idols; which he calls here ×ת×× hattohu, the same expression found Genesis 1:2. The earth was ת×× tohu; it was waste, empty, and formless: so idols; they are confusion, and things of naught, for an idol is nothing in the world-it is not the representative of any intelligent being.
