Summary
- Another parable on the Kingdom of heaven
- Be prepared and on guard at all times and be wise;
- Parable of the wise virgins and oil in the lamps.
Matthew 25:1-13
[1]“At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
[2]Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise.
[3]The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them,
[4]while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps.
[5]The bridegroom was late in coming, so the women began to nod and fall asleep.
[6]“It was already midnight when the cry rang out, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!’
[7]The ten women woke up and trimmed their lamps.
[8]Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
[9]‘No, indeed,’ the wise ones answered, ‘there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the shop and buy some for yourselves.’
[10]So the foolish women went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed.
[11]“Later the other women arrived. ‘Sir, sir! Let us in!’ they cried out.
[12]‘Certainly not! I don’t know you,’ the bridegroom answered.”
[13]And Jesus concluded, “Be on your guard, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.