⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,^(A)
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?^(B)
Shall I offer my firstborn^(C) for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?^(D)

¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice,^(A) or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

“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.

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