⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?

⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,^(A) objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^[a]”

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹² “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table^(A) is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food^(B) is contemptible.’ ¹³ And you say, ‘What a burden!’^(C) and you sniff at it contemptuously,^(D)” says the Lord Almighty.

“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices,^(E) should I accept them from your hands?”^(F) says the Lord.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.^(A) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.^{(B) 5} It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.^{(C) 6} Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.^(D)

Riches Are Meaningless

⁸ If you see the poor oppressed^(E) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

⁴ And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.^(A)