“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.

“Maintain justice^(A)
    and do what is right,^(B)
for my salvation^(C) is close at hand
    and my righteousness^(D) will soon be revealed.

¹⁵ For this is what the high and exalted^(A) One says—
    he who lives forever,^(B) whose name is holy:
“I live in a high^(C) and holy place,
    but also with the one who is contrite^(D) and lowly in spirit,^(E)
to revive the spirit of the lowly
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.^(F)

² Has not my hand made all these things,^(A)
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,^(B)
    and who tremble at my word.^(C)

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