¹

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

²

Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³

Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

⁴

but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶

And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'

⁷

Then all those virgins arose 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 answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, 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 wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

¹²

But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

¹³

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.