Criticism of Temple sacrifice

Hosea

For it is [hesed] that I desire, not sacrifice,

and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Go and learn the meaning of the words, â€˜I desire mercy [eleos,] not sacrifice.â€™ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.

"Eleos" is from the same root as "eleison": "Kyrie, eleison!"

What do I care for the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD.

I have had enough of whole-burnt rams

and fat of fatlings;

In the blood of calves, lambs, and goats

I find no pleasure.

With what shall I come before the LORD,

and bow before God most high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

with myriad streams of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my crime,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

You have been told, O mortal, what is good,

and what the LORD requires of you:

Only to do justice and to love goodness,

and to walk humbly with your God.

⁷ Listen, my people, I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.

⁸ Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
your burnt offerings are always before me.

⁹ I will not take a bullock from your house,
or he-goats from your folds.

¹⁰ For every animal of the forest is mine,
beasts by the thousands on my mountains.

¹¹ I know every bird in the heights;
whatever moves in the wild is mine.

¹² Were I hungry, I would not tell you,
for mine is the world and all that fills it.

¹³ Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of he-goats?

¹⁴ Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;
fulfill your vows to the Most High.

¹⁵ Then call on me on the day of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.