Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised.

Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices and with our burnt offerings; and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

They invite foreigners to their mountain And offer the right sacrifices there. They get their wealth from the sea And from the sand along the shore."

And while he was offering sacrifices, Absalom also sent to the town of Gilo for Ahithophel, who was one of King David's advisers. The plot against the king gained strength, and Absalom's followers grew in number.

He says, "Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats.

It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins.

"When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood.

and learn to do right. See that justice is done---help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."

The LORD says, "I love justice and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people And make an eternal covenant with them.

When you bring a blind or sick or lame animal to sacrifice to me, do you think there's nothing wrong with that? Try giving an animal like that to the governor! Would he be pleased with you or grant you any favors?"

People from one end of the world to the other honor me. Everywhere they burn incense to me and offer acceptable sacrifices. All of them honor me!

You say, 'How tired we are of all this!' and you turn up your nose at me. As your offering to me you bring a stolen animal or one that is lame or sick. Do you think I will accept that from you?

So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord.

Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God.

and bow down to him; or else his anger will be quickly aroused, and you will suddenly die. Happy are all who go to him for protection.

Declare me innocent, O LORD, because I do what is right and trust you completely.

Trust in the LORD and do good; live in the land and be safe.

Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.

The LORD is our protector and glorious king, blessing us with kindness and honor. He does not refuse any good thing to those who do what is right.

LORD Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!

You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.

Trust in the LORD forever; he will always protect us.

All of you that honor the LORD and obey the words of his servant, the path you walk may be dark indeed, but trust in the LORD, rely on your God.

So then, those who suffer because it is God's will for them, should by their good actions trust themselves completely to their Creator, who always keeps his promise.