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Hi orson,
"Wages" can be singular or plural.
When used figuratively it is usually regarded as a singular noun, hence its use in the Bible verse above.

Hi Pedagogue,

According to Fowler's Modern English Usage, "wages" as singular is an old usage that died out in the early 18th century. And according to Partridge's Usage and Abusage, it is an archaism. We might just as well write: the wages of sinne...

It might go past unnoticed in a figurative sense because it comes after the word sin - "sin is" rather than "sin are". But I cannot think of a sentence in which "wages is" sounds correct.

My wages is too low?
Wages has not risen this year?

Hi again orson,
Cheers for the references.
"The wages of sin are death"

The is/are debate part two.

A headline today in my local newspaper reads WHAT WE NEED ARE LONG TERM FIXES.

If that seems all right to you, take out "long term" and get "What we need are fixes." It should be "is".

ok great

wait hat?

Orson Tyke

Slightly different to the is/are issue - I am sick of footballers/managers saying "that was a great 3 points".

Where has this "That was a poor mistake" rather than a "bad" one come from. Even the Times had this nonsense a few days ago.

malone

I was pleased that the Times Champ solved the final puzzle in 5 mins 57 secs. I completed the grid in a mere 4 mins. I suppose having the answers helped.

Grunger

I get fed up of football managers `going to their place` and `getting a result`

Grunger

Well done … but a slight flaw there!