Bible verse
Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
1 Samuel 12:21 · BSB
The verses around it, from 1 Samuel 12.
17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.”
18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
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.”
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.
21 Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
22 Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.
23 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.
24 Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.
25 But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”
KJV
And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.
ASV
and turn ye not aside; for then would ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
ERV
and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.