Matthew 25:1-13 ▼

1 |Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 |Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

3 |For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

5 |Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and [began] to sleep.

6 |But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet [him].'

7 |Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

8 |The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

9 |But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you [too]; go instead to the dealers and buy [some] for yourselves.'

10 |And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

11 |Later the other virgins also came, saying, Lord, lord, open up for us.'

12 |But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

13 |Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.