9
“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10
“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
11
Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12
“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
14
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
15
He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16
“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.
17
The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.
18
But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.