The Parable of the 10 Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins^[a] who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.^{(A) 2} Five of them were foolish and five were sensible.^{(B) 3} When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take olive oil with them. ⁴ But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.^(C)

¹¹ “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘I assure you: I do not know you!’

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.^[b]