22 Then Samuel said:

Does the Lord(A) take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.(B)

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(A)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(B)

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For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God(A) rather than burnt offerings.(B)

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Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams(A)
or with ten thousand streams of oil?
Should I give my firstborn for my transgression,(B)
the offspring of my body for my own sin?

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good(C)
and what it is the Lord requires of you:(D)
to act justly,(E)
to love faithfulness,(F)
and to walk humbly with your God.(G)

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13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.[a](A) For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 9:13 Hs 6:6
  2. 9:13 Other mss add to repentance

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