The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Parallel translations
- WEB The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- BSB The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- NKJV The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- NASB The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- NLT The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God detests the sacrifice of the wicked but delights in the prayer of the upright. He desires sincere hearts, not empty ritual.
Overview
This proverb declares that outward religious acts from a wicked heart are an abomination to the LORD, while even the simple prayer of the upright pleases Him. God looks at the heart, not merely the ritual. The gospel makes plain that acceptable worship flows from faith and a heart made right through Christ (Hebrews 11:6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Prov 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
- 1 Chr 29:17I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
- Prov 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
- Prov 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
- Jer 6:20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
- Isa 1:10–15Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
- Isa 61:8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
- John 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
- Eccl 5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
- Ps 17:1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
- Jer 7:21–23Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.
- Isa 66:3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
- Song 2:14O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
- Amos 5:21–22I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 15:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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