Verse
Hosea 6:6 — For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more…
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
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Read it in context
The verses around Hosea 6:6.
4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
Verse explanation
"Mercy, not sacrifice" is the book's central idea: God prefers a faithful heart over correct ritual performed without real commitment — He is not canceling the sacrifices, He is saying which of the two matters more.
From the Hosea 6 study in Bible in Stories.
Hosea 6:6 in other versions
The same verse in the 4 Bible versions we have on the site.
- KJV · King James
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Read the chapter in this version → - ARC · Almeida 1911Português
Porque o que eu quero é a misericordia, e não o sacrificio; e o conhecimento de Deus, mais do que os holocaustos.
Read the chapter in this version → - BLIVRE · Bíblia LivrePortuguês
Pois eu quero misericórdia, e não sacrifício; e conhecimento de Deus mais do que holocaustos.
Read the chapter in this version → - VBL · Versión Biblia LibreEspañol
Quiero que me ofrezcan amor verdadero y no sacrificios; quiero que me conozcan, y no que me traigan holocaustos.
Read the chapter in this version →
In other languages: Português (Oséias 6:6) · Español (Oseas 6:6)
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