Matthew 25:1-13

Modern English Version

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were wise and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them. ⁴ But the wise took jars of oil with their lamps. ⁵ While the bridegroom delayed, they all rested and slept.

⁶ “But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ But the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.’

⁹ “The wise answered, ‘No, lest there not be enough for us and you. Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us.’

¹² “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.