Proverbs 21:3
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
In Context
2Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
4Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
Cross References
Psalms 40:7(40:8) Then said I, Lo, I come: in the roll of the book it is written down for me;
Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord: but, the prayer of the upright [obtaineth] his favor.
Isaiah 1:17Learn to do well; seek for justice, relieve the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Hosea 6:6For piety I desired, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God, more than burnt-offerings.
Micah 6:8He hath told thee, O man, what is good; and what the Lord doth require of thee: [nothing] but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:3
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves and our own actions, and to think too favourably of our own character, as if there was nothing amiss in it: Every way of a man, even his by-way, is right in his own eyes. The proud heart is very ingenious in putting a fair face upon a foul matter, and in making that appear right to itself which is far from being so, to stop the mouth of conscience. 2. We are sure that the… Read the whole commentary →