25 [ref]“The kingdom of the heavens can also be likened to ten young women in a wedding party who took their lamps and went off to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were harebrained and five were sensible. 3 The less clever ones took their lamps but didn’t take any oil for them, 4 whereas the sensible ones had oil in containers along with the lamps. 5 When the groom was held up, they started nodding off and napping.

6 “But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Look, the groom’s on his way. Come out and meet him.’ 7 So all the young women got up and trimmed the wicks on their lamps, 8 and the less sensible ones asked the others, ‘Here, give us some of your oil because our lamps are starting to splutter.’ 9 But the sensible ones answered, ‘We don’t have enough for everyone. You need to go to the stall and buy some for your lamps.’ 10 However, while they were still away buying oil, the groom appeared and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding and the door was shut.

11 [ref]“Later the other young women arrived and called out, ‘Master, master, let us in.’ 12 But he answered, ‘I can assure you all that I don’t know you.’

13 “So then, be watchful because you all don’t know the day or the time.