would suggest that the moral of the lamps is perseverance in faith’ (cf. 10:22; 24:13). But Weder, pp. 244–7, rightly observes that the real error is that the foolish virgins expect the bridegroom to come when they are ready. Their folly is to act according to their own expectations. They do not recognize that the bridegroom might delay and come at an unexpected hour. αἱ δὲ μωραὶ ταῖς φρονίμοις εἶπαν. The foolish virgins, who behave as a unit, will speak again in v. 11. δότε ἡμῖν ἐκ τοῦ