And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times, or the [a]seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:7 That is, the fit occasions that serve to doing of matters which the Lord hath appointed to bring things to pass in.

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(A)

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25 1 The virgins looking for the Bridegroom. 13 We must watch. 14 The talents delivered unto the servants. 24 The evil servants. 30 After what sort the last judgment shall be. 41 The cursed.

Then [a]the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and [b]went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five foolish.

The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them.

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

Now while the bridegroom tarried long, all [c]slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there will not be enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut.

11 Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered, and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:1 We must desire strength at God’s hand, which may serve us as a torch while we walk through this darkness, to bring us to our desired end: otherwise if we become slothful and negligent as weary of our pains and travail, we shall be shut out of the doors.
  2. Matthew 25:1 The pomp of bridals was wont for the most part to be kept in the night seasons, and that by damsels.
  3. Matthew 25:5 Their eyes being heavy with sleep.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like(A) ten virgins who took their lamps(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.(C) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.(D) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.(E)

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’(F)

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.(G) And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’(H)

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