¹³ Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”^(A)

⁷ And if you had only known what this statement means, ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], ^[a]and not [animal] sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.^(A)