The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and^[a] went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ For when^[b] the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. ⁴ But the wise ones took olive oil in flasks with their lamps. ⁵ And when^[c] the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^{[d] 6} But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!’ ⁹ But the wise ones answered saying, “Certainly there will never be enough for us and for you! Go instead to those who sell olive oil^[e] and buy some^[f] for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ But while^[g] they had gone away to buy it^[h] the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut. ¹¹ And later the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open the door^[i] for us!’ ¹² But he answered and^[j] said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you!’ ¹³ Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know the day or the hour!