⁴ But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way?

⁴ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ⁵ “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

⁸ But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? ⁹ For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor.”

¹² But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted and its food^[a] may be despised. ¹³ “What a weariness this is,” you say, and you sniff at it,^[b] says the Lord of hosts. 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.^(A)

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow.^{(A) 5} It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.^{(B) 6} Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words,^[a] but fear God.^(C)

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

⁴ Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from one person’s envy of another. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.^(A)