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The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women[a] took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.[b](A) Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.(B) 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 was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.(C) But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those young women[c] got up and trimmed their lamps.(D) The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.(E) 11 Later the other young women[d] came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’(F) 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.[e](G)

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Footnotes

  1. 25.1 Gk virgins
  2. 25.1 Other ancient authorities add and the bride
  3. 25.7 Gk virgins
  4. 25.11 Gk virgins
  5. 25.13 Other ancient authorities add in which the Son of Man is coming

The Parable about the Ten Bridesmaids

25 “At that time, the kingdom from[a] heaven will be comparable to ten bridesmaids[b] who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the groom.[c] Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise, because when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn’t take any oil with them. But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down. But at midnight there came a shout: ‘The groom is here! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the bridesmaids[d] woke up and got their lamps ready.

“But the foolish ones told the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out!’

“But the wise ones replied, ‘No! There will never be enough for us and for you. You’d better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “While they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed. 11 Later, the other bridesmaids[e] arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘I tell all of you[f] with certainty, I don’t know you!’ 13 So keep on watching, because you don’t know the day or the hour.”[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:1 Lit. of
  2. Matthew 25:1 Lit. virgins
  3. Matthew 25:1 Other mss. read the groom and the bride
  4. Matthew 25:7 Lit. virgins
  5. Matthew 25:11 Lit. virgins
  6. Matthew 25:12 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  7. Matthew 25:13 Other mss. read the hour when the Son of Man will come