⁷ Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?^(A)

⁵⁰ the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know.

¹² For no one can anticipate one’s time. Like fish taken in a cruel net or like birds caught in a snare, so mortals are snared at a time of calamity, when it suddenly falls upon them.^(A)

⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those young women^[a] got up and trimmed their lamps.^{(A) 8} The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.^{(B) 11} Later the other young women^[b] came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’^{(C) 12} But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.^[c](D)

⁴⁴ Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.^(A)

¹² For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?^(A)

²² So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot; who can bring them to see what will be after them?^(A)