“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.

¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;^(A)

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

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly^(A) and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly^[a](B) with your God.^(C)