The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ^(A)ten virgins who took their lamps^[a] and went to meet ^(B)the bridegroom.^{[b] 2} Five of them were foolish, and five were ^(C)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 ^(D)was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But ^(E)at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins rose and ^(F)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, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and ^(G)those who were ready went in with him to ^(H)the marriage feast, and ^(I)the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ^(J)‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ^12 (K)But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, ^(L)I do not know you.’

^25 (A)When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ^(B)‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ^(C)‘I do not know where you come from.’

A Rest for the People of God

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from ^(D)the living God. ¹³ But ^(E)exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by ^(F)the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have come to share in Christ, ^(G)if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵ As it is said,

^44 (A)and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And ^(B)they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know ^(C)the time of your ^(D)visitation.”