¹⁸ But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

¹² I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

¹⁶ But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and minister to my need;

²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.

² Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

¹² For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

⁵ You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

³ We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;

¹⁴ Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

¹⁵ For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;

¹⁶ to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

¹ Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

³ Mary, therefore, took a pound{a Roman pound of 12 ounces, or about 340 grams} of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

⁴ Then Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,

⁵ "Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denarii,{300 denarii was about a year's wages for an agricultural laborer.} and given to the poor?"

⁶ Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.

⁷ But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.

⁸ For you always have the poor with you, but you don't always have me."