¹ Matthew 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Matthew 25:2 “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. ³ Matthew 25:3 “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ Matthew 25:4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. ⁵ Matthew 25:5 “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. ⁶ Matthew 25:6 “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Matthew 25:7 “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ Matthew 25:8 “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ Matthew 25:9 “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ Matthew 25:10 “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. ¹¹ Matthew 25:11 “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ ¹² Matthew 25:12 “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Matthew 25:13 “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.