Verse 3

To do righteousness and justice is preferred by the LORD rather than sacrifice.

Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Sam 15:22 : 22 Then Samuel said, 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'
  • Prov 15:8 : 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
  • Hos 6:6 : 6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
  • Mic 6:6-8 : 6 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand streams of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
  • Mark 12:33 : 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.'
  • Isa 1:11-17 : 11 "What is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals; I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of My courts? 13 Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity combined with solemn assembly. 14 Your New Moons and appointed festivals My soul hates. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you. Even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Remove your evil deeds from My sight; stop doing evil. 17 Learn to do what is good; seek justice, correct the oppressor. Defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.
  • Jer 7:21-23 : 21 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to them or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this is what I commanded them: Listen to my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, so that it may go well with you.
  • Ps 50:8 : 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.