KJV ORIGINAL
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't turn away from God, because if you do, you'll end up chasing after worthless things that can't help you or save you—they're completely empty and useless.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Samuel is warning the people not to abandon God for worthless idols that have no power to help them.
📚 Historical Context
Samuel is giving his farewell address to Israel after they demanded a king. He's warning them about the dangers of turning away from God to worship idols, as neighboring nations did. This was a constant temptation for Israel throughout their history—abandoning the true God for the false gods of surrounding cultures.
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