Compare Psalm 51:16-17 in Four Translations

You are not happy with any sacrifice.
Otherwise, I would offer one to you.
You are not pleased with burnt offerings.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
you are not pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

You don’t take delight in sacrifice.
If you did, I would bring it.
You don’t take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit.
God, you will gladly accept a heart
that is broken because of sadness over sin.
New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.