But it seemed a long time before the Bridegroom came, and all the virgins fell fast asleep while they waited.
But at midnight there was a sudden cry! But it was a sound of happy voices! "Behold the Bridegroom cometh!" the voices said joyfully.
Then the virgins waked out of their sleep, and they rose up and quickly trimmed their lamps.
But the foolish virgins found to their dismay that their lamps had gone out, and their little pitchers were empty!
So they ran to the wise virgins, and asked them to give them some of their oil!
But the wise virgins shook their heads, for they knew they must not give their oil away, or they would have none left for their own lamps to meet the Bridegroom.
"Go quickly and buy!" they urged the foolish virgins.
And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage; and the door was shut.
Oh, the terrible sound of those words—the door was shut!
Afterwards the other virgins hurried back; and when they came to that closed door, they called with bitter longing and entreaty, "Lord, Lord open to us!"