Matthew 25:1-9

1 "God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom.
2 Five were silly and five were smart.
3 The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil.
4 The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps.
5 The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
6 "In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'
7 "The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready.
8 The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'
9 "They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'

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Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.