The Parable of the Ten Virgins "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

"Da skal det være med Himmeriget som med ti jomfruer, der tog deres lamper og gik ud for at gå brudgommen i møde. De fem af dem var uforstandige, og de fem kloge. De uforstandige tog nemlig deres lamper, men tog ikke olie med sig. Men de kloge tog olie i deres kander tillige med deres lamper. Og da brudgommen lod vente på sig, blev de alle døsige og faldt i søvn. Men ved midnat lød der et råb: »Se, brudgommen er der, gå ham i møde!« Da vågnede alle jomfruerne og gjorde deres lamper i stand. Og de uforstandige sagde til de kloge: »Giv os af jeres olie, thi vore lamper er ved at gå ud. « Men de kloge svarede og sagde: »Nej, der ville ikke blive nok både til os og til jer. Gå hellere hen til købmændene og køb til jer selv.« Men medens de gik bort for at købe, kom brudgommen, og de, som var rede, gik ind i bryllupssalen med ham, og døren blev lukket.