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] Five of them were foolish, and five were (C)wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom (D)was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But (E)at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and (F)trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:1 Or torches
  2. Matthew 25:1 Some manuscripts add and the bride

25 Then the Malchut HaShomayim will be compared to ten alamot (young unmarried virgins), who, having taken their menorahs, went out to meet the Choson (Bridegroom).

Now five of them were foolish and five were wise.

When the foolish took their menorahs, they neglected to take shemen (oil).

But the wise took shemen in containers with their menorahs.

Now the Choson, being delayed, here is what happened: all the alamot became drowsy and were sleeping.

And at chatsot halailah (midnight) there was a shout, Hinei! The Choson (Bridegroom)! Go out to meet him!

Then all the ten alamot awakened and they trimmed their menorahs.

But the foolish said to the wise, Give us from your shemen (oil), for our menorahs are going out.

But the wise answered, saying, Perhaps there might not be enough for us and for you. Instead, you go to the ones selling and buy for yourselves.

10 And as they were going away to buy, the Bias of the Choson (Bridegroom) occurred! The ones prepared entered with him into the Chasunoh (Wedding) feast and the door was shut.

11 And later, here comes also the other alamot, saying, Adoneinu, Adoneinu, open the door for us.

12 But he, in reply, said, Omein, I say to you, I do not know you.

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