Pro 21:3 | NET2full | STEP | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice .

‏ Proverbs 21:3

3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable ^{▼▼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.”} to the Lord than sacrifice. ^{▼▼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.}