6
“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.
8
Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
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.