¹⁶ You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
    You do not want a burnt offering.

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.
    But you have given me a body to offer.
⁶ You were not pleased with burnt offerings
    or other offerings for sin.

⁶ You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
    Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand^[a]—
    you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

⁶ I want you to show love,^[a]
    not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me^[b]
    more than I want burnt offerings.

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

¹¹ “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”
    says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams
    and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure from the blood
    of bulls and lambs and goats.
¹² When you come to worship me,
    who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
¹³ Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
    the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
    and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
    I want no more of your pious meetings.
¹⁴ I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
    They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
¹⁵ When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
    Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
    for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

²⁷ The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
    especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

⁶ But you desire honesty from the womb,^[a]
    teaching me wisdom even there.