The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [Church waiting for Christ] 2 Five of them were foolish, [don't know the Bible, but rely on their preachers] and five were wise [read and study the Word assiduously]. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; [preacher told them Christ is coming imminently - not prepared for anything] 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps [understood the Bible and took Jesus at his word - see verse 13 - spiritually & materially prepared for all eventualities]. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [Church waiting for Christ] 2 Five of them were foolish, [don't know the Bible, but rely on their preachers] and five were wise [read and study the Word assiduously]. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; [preacher told them Christ is coming imminently - not prepared for anything] 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps [understood the Bible and took Jesus at his word - see verse 13 - spiritually & materially prepared for all eventualities]. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
