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Bible passages about “I desire Mercy not sacrifice”

Curated semantic-search results from the Bible and early Jewish and Christian writings. These passages are drawn from a current, full-corpus deep search.

Top matching passages

Best matchHosea 6:6

9/10 · exceptional

6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9:12–13

8/10 · strong

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 12:6–7

8/10 · strong

6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

1 Clement 18:13–14

5/10 · good

13 For, if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it: in whole burnt offerings Thou wilt have no pleasure. (1CL) 14 A sacrifice unto God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humbled heart God will not despise. (1CL)

2 Esdras 8:26–32

4/10 · fair

26 Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who have served you in truth. (WEB) 27 Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who have kept your covenants in affliction. (WEB) 28 Don’t think about those who have lived wickedly before you, but remember those who have willingly known your fear. (WEB) 29 Let it not be your will to destroy those who have lived like cattle, but look at those who have clearly taught your law. (WEB) 30 Don’t be indignant at those who are deemed worse than animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory. (WEB) 31 For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death, but you are called merciful because of us sinners. (WEB) 32 For if you have a desire to have mercy upon us who have no works of righteousness, then you will be called merciful. (WEB)

2 Clement 3:1

6/10 · good

1 Seeing then that He bestowed so great mercy on us; first of all, that we, who are living, do not sacrifice to these dead gods, neither worship them, but through Him have known the Father of truth. What else is this knowledge to Himward, but not to deny Him through whom we have known Him? (2CL)

Psalms 51:16–19

6/10 · good

16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 18 In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

2 Esdras 8:45–47

4/10 · fair

45 Don’t be angry with us, but spare your people and have mercy upon your inheritance, for you have mercy upon your own creation.” (WEB) 46 Then he answered me, “Things present are for those who live now, and things to come for those who will live hereafter. (WEB) 47 For you come far short of being able to love my creature more than I. But you have compared yourself to the unrighteous. Don’t do that! (WEB)

Micah 6:6–8

6/10 · good

6 With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Sirach 18:11–14

4/10 · fair

11 For this cause the Lord was patient over them, and poured out his mercy upon them. (WEB) 12 He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil. Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness. (WEB) 13 The mercy of a man is on his neighbor; but the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh: reproving, chastening, teaching, and bringing back, as a shepherd does his flock. (WEB) 14 He has mercy on those who accept chastening, and that diligently seek after his judgments. (WEB)

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