14 ³ Jesus was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. As he sat at table, a woman came in carrying a small bottle of very costly perfume, pure oil of nard. She broke it open and poured the oil over his head. 14 ⁴ Some of those present said to one another angrily, 'Why this waste? 14 ⁵ The perfume might have been sold for thirty pounds Literally: 300 denarii; some witnesses read: more than 300 denarii. and the money given to the poor'; and they turned upon her with fury. 14 ⁶ But Jesus said, 'Let her alone. Why must you make trouble for her? 14 ⁷ It is a fine thing she has done for me. You have the poor among you always, and you can help them whenever you like; but you will not always have me. 14 ⁸ She has done what lay in her power; she is beforehand with anointing my body for burial. 14 ⁹ I tell you this: wherever in all the world the Gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told as her memorial.'