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

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(A)
    but my ears you have opened^[a]—^(B)
    burnt offerings^(C) and sin offerings^[b] you did not require.

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;^(B)
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.

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

²¹ “I hate,^(A) I despise your religious festivals;^(B)
    your assemblies^(C) are a stench to me.
²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings^(D) and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them.^(E)
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
    I will have no regard for them.^(F)
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
    I will not listen to the music of your harps.^(G)

¹¹ “The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;^(A)
I have no pleasure^(B)
    in the blood of bulls^(C) and lambs and goats.^(D)
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,^(E)
    this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^(F)
    Your incense^(G) is detestable^(H) to me.
New Moons,^(I) Sabbaths and convocations^(J)—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon^(K) feasts and your appointed festivals^(L)
    I hate with all my being.^(M)
They have become a burden to me;^(N)
    I am weary^(O) of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands^(P) in prayer,
    I hide^(Q) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.^(R)

Your hands^(S) are full of blood!^(T)

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable^(A)—
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!^(B)

⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice^(A) of the wicked,^(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^(C)