⁴ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart. Religion is about a change of heart. Your heart and spirit must be broken by God, before you can receive his powerful change by grace to a new heart. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18. (Contrite means: feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses.)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17.

For thus says the High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15.

Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which you have transgressed; and get a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Ezek 18:31-32.

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