Verse 7

If you had known what this means:‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

Referenced Verses

  • Matt 9:13 : 13 Go and learn what this saying means:‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
  • Hos 6:6 : 6 For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.
  • Mic 6:6-8 : 6 With what should I enter the LORD’s presence? With what should I bow before the sovereign God? Should I enter his presence with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Will the LORD accept a thousand rams, or ten thousand streams of olive oil? Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion, my offspring– my own flesh and blood– for my sin? 8 He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.
  • Matt 22:29 : 29 Jesus answered them,“You are deceived, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God.
  • Acts 13:27 : 27 For the people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and they fulfilled the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning him.
  • Jas 5:6 : 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you.
  • Job 32:3 : 3 With Job’s three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty.
  • Ps 94:21 : 21 They conspire against the blameless, and condemn to death the innocent.
  • Ps 109:31 : 31 because he stands at the right hand of the needy, to deliver him from those who threaten his life.
  • Prov 17:15 : 15 The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent– both of them are an abomination to the LORD.
  • Isa 1:11-17 : 11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the LORD.“I have had my fill of burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want. 12 When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this– animals trampling on my courtyards? 13 Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! 14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash! Cleanse yourselves! Remove your sinful deeds from my sight. Stop sinning! 17 Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!