Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable ¹  to the Lord than sacrifice. ² 

1Sa 15:22; Ps 50:8; Pr 15:8; Isa 1:11-17; Jer 7:21-23; Ho 6:6; Mic 6:6-8; Mr 12:33

¹ tn The Niphal participle בָּחַר (bakhar, “to choose”) means “choice to the Lord” or “chosen of the Lord,” meaning “acceptable to the Lord”; cf. TEV “pleases the Lord more.”

² sn The Lord prefers righteousness above religious service (e.g., Prov 15:8; 21:29; 1 Sam 15:22; Ps 40:6-8; Isa 1:11-17). This is not a rejection of ritual worship; rather, religious acts are without value apart from righteous living.