16 Because you have neglected what was given you to do, have spent your time in revelings and sleep, behold you all are debtors unto me.
17 What I have lost by your neglect, you owe to me. And then he gave them heavy tasks to do, and bound them to their posts with chains, where they remained till they had paid for all the goods their lord had lost through their neglect.
18 Another man locked up his wealth and went to sleep, and in the night time robbers came, unlocked his doors, and when they saw no guard, they entered in and carried off his wealth.
19 And when the man awoke and found his doors ajar and all his treasures gone, he said, If I had known the hour when the thieves would come I would have been on guard.
20 Beware, my friends, beware! and be prepared at every hour, and if your Lord shall come at midnight or at dawn, it matters not, for he will find you ready to receive.
21 And then, behold, a marriage was announced, and virgins, ten of them, were set apart to meet the bridegroom when he came.
22 The virgins clothed themselves in proper garbs, and took their lamps and sat in waiting for the watch to say, Behold, the bridegroom comes!
23 Now, five were wise; they filled their lamps with oil; and five were foolish, for they carried empty lamps.
24 The groom came not at the expected time; the virgins were a-weary with their watch and slept.
25 At midnight came the cry, Behold, the bridegroom comes!