⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you,^[a] and you can help them any time you want.^(A) But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.^(B)

¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,^(A) not according to what one does not have.

² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^{(A) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(B) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

The Widow’s Offering^(A)

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put^(B) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”^(C)

² in the hope of eternal life,^(A) which God, who does not lie,^(B) promised before the beginning of time,^(C)