³⁹ And all these, ^(A)though commended through their faith, ^(B)did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, ^(C)that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and ^(D)sin which clings so closely, and ^(E)let us run ^(F)with endurance the race that is ^(G)set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ^(H)who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising ^(I)the shame, and ^(J)is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

^3 (K)Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or ^(L)fainthearted.

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

12 Six days before ^(A)the Passover, ^(B)Jesus therefore came to Bethany, ^(C)where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² So they gave a dinner for him there. ^(D)Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. ^3 (E)Mary therefore took a pound^[a] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 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^[b] and ^(F)given to the poor?” ⁶ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and ^(G)having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. ⁷ Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it^[c] for the day of my burial. ⁸ For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

⁹ When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus^[d] was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, ^(H)whom he had raised from the dead. ^10 (I)So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, ¹¹ because ^(J)on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

^3 (A)And while he was at ^(B)Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,^[a] as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. ⁴ There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? ⁵ For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii^[b] and ^(C)given to the poor.” And they ^(D)scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ For ^(E)you always have the poor with you, and whenever ^(F)you want, you can do good for them. But ^(G)you will not always have me. ^8 (H)She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand ^(I)for burial. ⁹ And truly, I say to you, wherever ^(J)the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told ^(K)in memory of her.”