¹‘Then shall the reign of the heavens be likened to ten virgins, who, having taken their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom; ²and five of them were prudent, and five foolish; ³they who were foolish having taken their lamps, did not take with themselves oil; ⁴and the prudent took oil in their vessels, with their lamps.

⁵‘And the bridegroom tarrying, they all nodded and were sleeping, ⁶and in the middle of the night a cry was made, Lo, the bridegroom doth come; go ye forth to meet him.

⁷‘Then rose all those virgins, and trimmed their lamps, ⁸and the foolish said to the prudent, Give us of your oil, because our lamps are going out; ⁹and the prudent answered, saying—Lest there may not be sufficient for us and you, go ye rather unto those selling, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰‘And while they are going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those ready went in with him to the marriage-feasts, and the door was shut; ¹¹and afterwards come also do the rest of the virgins, saying, Sir, sir, open to us; ¹²and he answering said, Verily I say to you, I have not known you.

¹³‘Watch therefore, for ye have not known the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man doth come.

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