1 Samuel 12:21

You should not turn aside after empty things that can’t profit and can’t deliver, since they are empty. ¹ 

Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.

"You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.

Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you––they really are useless!

Don't chase after ghost-gods.

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 turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.

"And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.

You should not turn aside after empty things that can’t profit and can’t deliver, since they are empty. ¹ 

¹ tn Or “useless” (so NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “nothing”; NASB “futile”; TEV “are not real.”