⁴ There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?

⁴ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ⁵ “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii^[a] and ^(A)given to the poor?”

⁸ And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? ⁹ For this could have been sold for a large sum and ^(A)given to the poor.”

¹² But you profane it when you say that ^(A)the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. ¹³ But you say, ^(B)‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. ^(C)You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.

⁴ When ^(A)you vow a vow to God, ^(B)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. ^(C)Pay what you vow. ^5 (D)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Let not your mouth lead you^[a] into sin, and do not say before ^(E)the messenger^[b] that it was ^(F)a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;^[c] but^{[d] (G)}God is the one you must fear.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

^8 (H)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, ^(I)do not be amazed at the matter, ^(J)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

⁴ Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is ^(A)vanity^[a] and a striving after wind.