The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Profit \Prof"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profited; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Profiting.] [F. profiter. See Profit, n.]
   To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit;
   to advantage; to avail; to aid; as, truth profits all men.
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         The word preached did not profit them.   --Heb. iv. 2.
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         It is a great means of profiting yourself, to copy
         diligently excellent pieces and beautiful designs.
                                                  --Dryden.
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