Proverbs 21:3

21:3 To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable7 to the Lord than sacrifice.8

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7	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.”
8	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.