Isaiah 1:11-14

New International Version

¹¹“The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;^(A)
I have no pleasure^(B)
    in the blood of bulls^(C) and lambs and goats.^(D)
¹²When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,^(E)
    this trampling of my courts?
¹³Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^(F)
    Your incense^(G) is detestable^(H) to me.
New Moons,^(I) Sabbaths and convocations^(J)—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴Your New Moon^(K) feasts and your appointed festivals^(L)
    I hate with all my being.^(M)
They have become a burden to me;^(N)
    I am weary^(O) of bearing them.

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Mark 7:1-8

New International Version

That Which Defiles^(A)

7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus ²and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,^(B) that is, unwashed. ³(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.^(C) ⁴When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^[a])^(D)

⁵So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders^(E) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

⁶He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’^[b]^(F)

⁸You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”^(G)

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