8
"`Give us some of your oil,' said the foolish ones to the wise, `for our torches are going out.'
9
"`But perhaps,' replied the wise, `there will not be enough for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.'
10
"So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
11
"Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, "`Sir, Sir, open the door to us.'
12
"`In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, `I do not know you.'
13
"Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour.
14
"Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.
15
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home.
16
Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and employed them in business, and gained five more.
17
In the same way he who had the two gained two more.
18
But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and buried his master's money.