"Then all the girls got up and began trimming their lamps. The careless, foolish ones said to the wise and thoughtful ones:
"'Come, let us have some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.'
"But the wise bridesmaids answered them, 'No, each one of us has brought just enough oil for her own lamp. If we should divide our oil with you, then none of us would have enough to keep her lamp burning and we should all be in the dark together. You must go to the store and buy for yourselves!'
The coming of the bridegroom
"So, in the middle of the night, while the bridegroom was coming, those foolish women had to go to the town, and wake up the oil-sellers and buy more oil. While they were on their way buying oil, the bridegroom and his party came; and the bridesmaids who were ready went with them to the marriage-supper. When they were all inside the room, the door was shut to keep out strangers who had no right to enter.
"After a time, the rest of the bridesmaids came and found the door shut. They called out to the bridegroom:
"'Oh, sir, oh, sir! Please open the door for us!'
"But he answered them, 'I tell you, I do not know who you are!'
"So," said Jesus, "I say to you, keep on the watch, and be ready at all times, for you do not know either the day or the hour when your Lord will come."