Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of Ten Virgins

1 "Then ¹the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their ²lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 "Five of them were foolish, and five were ³prudent.

3 "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

4 but the ⁴prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

6 "But at midnight * there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'

7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

8 "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

9 "But the ⁵prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

10 "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ⁶ready went in with him to ⁷the wedding feast; and ⁸the door was shut.

11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, '⁹Lord, lord, open up for us.'

12 "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

13 "¹⁰Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 13:24
• 2. John 18:3; Acts 20:8; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 8:10
• 3. Matthew 7:24; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 25:2f
• 4. Matthew 7:24; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 25:2f
• 5. Matthew 7:24; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 25:2f
• 6. Matthew 24:42f
• 7. Luke 12:35
• 8. Matthew 7:21f; Luke 13:25
• 9. Matthew 7:21f; Luke 13:25
• 10. Matthew 24:42f