1 | "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. |
2 | Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. |
3 | For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; |
4 | but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. |
5 | As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. |
6 | But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' |
7 | Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. |
8 | And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' |
9 | But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' |
10 | And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. |
11 | Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' |
12 | But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' |
13 | Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. |