"Is there any pleasureto the Almightyifyou are righteous,Orprofitifyou makeyour waysperfect?
"Since I know,O my God,that You trythe heartand delightin uprightness,I, in the integrityof my heart,have willinglyofferedallthese[things]; so nowwith joyI have seenYour people,who are presenthere,make[their] offeringswillinglyto You.
Whois the Almighty,that we should serveHim, And whatwould we gainifwe entreatHim?'
"Can a vigorous manbe of useto God,Ora wiseman be usefulto himself?
"Is it becauseof your reverencethat He reprovesyou, That He entersinto judgmentagainstyou?
"For he has said,It profitsa mannothingWhen he is pleasedwith God.'
"Ifyou are righteous,whatdo you giveto Him, Orwhatdoes He receivefrom your hand?
I consideredmy waysAnd turnedmy feetto Your testimonies.
I said,"I will guardmy waysThat I may not sinwith my tongue;I will guardmy mouthas with a muzzleWhilethe wickedare in my presence."
A false balanceis an abominationto the LORD,But a justweightis His delight.
The perversein heartare an abominationto the LORD,But the blamelessin [their] walkare His delight.
Lyinglipsare an abominationto the LORD,But those who dealfaithfullyare His delight.
The sacrificeof the wickedis an abominationto the LORD,But the prayerof the uprightis His delight.
Ifyou are wise,you are wisefor yourself, And if you scoff,you alonewill bearit.
You have weariedthe LORDwith your words.Yet you say,"Howhave we wearied[Him]?" In that you say,"Everyonewho doesevilis goodin the sightof the LORD,and He delightsin them," or,"Whereis the Godof justice?"
"In view of this,I alsodo my bestto maintainalwaysa blamelessconscience[both] beforeGodand before men.
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
But I have receivedeverythingin fulland have an abundance;I am amply supplied,having receivedfrom Epaphrodituswhat you have sent,a fragrantaroma,an acceptablesacrifice,well-pleasingto God.
