⁷Scripture says, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ You don’t know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.

NLTNew Living Translation

But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And if you had known what it means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

KJV 1900King James Version

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

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