What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings. (Hosea 6:4-6)
Instead of occasional ritual and sacrifice, God seeks perpetual love and knowledge.
Love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness - the Hebrew is chesed - is a recognition and honoring of relationship.
Knowledge, perception, discernment, understanding - the Hebrew is da'ath - comes only from an intimate relationship.
The context here emphasizes the relationship between God and Ephraim and Judah. But in other places - especially in the gospel - we are told this is also how we should engage one another.
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