6
"At midnight someone shouted, 'The groom is here! Come to meet him!'
7
Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.
8
"The foolish ones said to the wise ones, 'Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.'
9
"But the wise bridesmaids replied, 'We can't do that. There won't be enough for both of us. Go! Find someone to sell you some oil.'
10
"While they were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut.
11
"Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, 'Sir, sir, open the door for us!'
12
"But he answered them, 'I don't even know who you are!'
13
"So stay awake, because you don't know the day or the hour.
14
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and entrusted some money to them.
15
He gave one man ten thousand dollars, another four thousand dollars, and another two thousand dollars. Each was given money based on his ability. Then the man went on his trip.
16
"The one who received ten thousand dollars invested the money at once and doubled his money.