Add parallel Print Page Options

21 [a](A)I hate, I despise your feasts,
    I take no pleasure in your solemnities.
22 Even though you bring me your burnt offerings and grain offerings
    I will not accept them;
Your stall-fed communion offerings,
    I will not look upon them.
23 Take away from me
    your noisy songs;
The melodies of your harps,
    I will not listen to them.
24 Rather let justice surge like waters,
    and righteousness like an unfailing stream.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 5:21–27 The prophet does not condemn cultic activity as such but rather the people’s attempt to offer worship with hands unclean from oppression of their fellow Israelites (cf. Ps 15:2–5; 24:3–4). But worship from those who disregard justice and righteousness (v. 24) is never acceptable to the God of Israel. Through the Sinai covenant the love of God and the love of neighbor are inextricably bound together.