⁴ But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

⁴ But one of His disciples, ^(A)Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for ^[a]three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

^8 (A)But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? ⁹ For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

⁶ Do not let your ^(D)mouth cause your flesh to sin, ^(E)nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your ^[a]excuse and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But ^(F)fear God.

The Vanity of Gain and Honor

⁸ If you ^(G)see the oppression of the poor, and the violent ^[b]perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for ^(H)high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

The Vanity of Selfish Toil

⁴ Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.