Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

What God Requires

“With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”(A)
He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?(B)

Read full chapter

With what shall I come before(A) the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?(B)
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,(C)
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?(D)
Shall I offer my firstborn(E) for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?(F)
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly(G) and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly[a](H) with your God.(I)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Micah 6:8 Or prudently

But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.(A)

Read full chapter

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a](A) you would not have condemned the innocent.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:7 Hosea 6:6

15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.(A)

Read full chapter

15 Here is a trustworthy saying(A) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners(B)—of whom I am the worst.

Read full chapter