³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.^{(A) 10} But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.^{(B) 11} For the sun rises with scorching heat^(C) and withers^(D) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.^(E) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

⁶ But you have dishonored the poor.^(A) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?^(B)

The Widow’s Olive Oil

4 The wife of a man from the company^(A) of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor^(B) is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

² Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”^(C)

¹⁷ Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked^(A) man that no one can talk to him.”

¹⁰ Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who^(A) is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days.