“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,^(A)
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice^(A) of the wicked,^(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^(C)

²¹ Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,^(A)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,^(B)
    but with many advisers^(C) they succeed.^(D)

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply^(E)—
    and how good is a timely word!^(F)

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud,^(G)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.^(H)

²⁶ The Lord detests the thoughts^(I) of the wicked,^(J)
    but gracious words are pure^(K) in his sight.

²⁷ The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.^(L)

¹² When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,^(A)
    this trampling of my courts?

⁶ For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,^(A)
    and acknowledgment^(B) of God rather than burnt offerings.^(C)