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)

²⁰ What use to me is frankincense from Sheba^(A)
or sweet cane^(B) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;
your sacrifices do not please me.^(C)

⁶ For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God^(A) rather than burnt offerings.^(B)

²¹ I hate, I despise, your feasts!^(A)
I can’t stand the stench
of your solemn assemblies.^(B)
22 Even if you offer me
your burnt offerings and grain offerings,^(C)
I will not accept them;^(D)
I will have no regard
for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle.^(E)
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.^(F)
24 But let justice flow like water,
and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.^(G)