<p>Is there any JavaScript method similar to the jQuery <code>delay()</code> or <code>wait()</code> (to delay the execution of a script for a specific amount of time)?</p>

You need to use
setTimeout
and pass it a callback function. The reason you can't use sleep in javascript is because you'd block the entire page from doing anything in the meantime. Not a good plan. Use Javascript's event model and stay happy. Don't fight it!