Author’s Paraphrase
Psalm 51:17 A submitted human spirit is the sacrifice you want. You will never reject a humble and repentant heart.
Psalm 66:18–19 If I had tried to justify my wrongdoing, the Lord wouldn’t have listened to me. But he did listen, and my prayers were answered.
Matthew 6:5 Do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so people will see them. I assure you, they already have their reward.
Matthew 11:25 Suddenly, he looked upward and said, “I thank you, Father, ruler of Heaven and Earth, because you have revealed to ordinary people what you have hidden from those who think they are educated and wise.
Luke 18:10–14 “Two men went to pray at the Temple. One was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like others who are greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful. I thank you that I am nothing like that tax collector over there. Twice a week, I fast, and I never fail to give you a tenth of my income.’ The tax collector stood in the distance, away from other people, and would not so much as look up toward heaven. In despair, he pounded his chest and prayed, ‘God, have mercy on me, for I have sinned.’ I guarantee, the tax collector had peace with God when he went home, not the Pharisee. For those who try to make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
King James
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 66:18–19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Luke 18:10–14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
