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. THE TEN "VIRGINS" AND
"Then the
Kingdom of the heavens
will become like ten virgins that took their lamps and went out to meet the
bridegroom. (1)
Five of them were foolish, and five were discreet. For the
foolish took their lamps but took no
oil with them, whereas
the discreet (2)
took oil (3)
in their receptacles with their lamps. While
the
bridegroom was delaying, (4)
they all nodded and went to sleep. Right in the middle of the night there arose
a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Be on your way out to meet him.' Then all those
virgins rose and put their lamps in order. The foolish said to the discreet,
'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are about to go out.' The discreet
answered with the words, 'Perhaps there may not be quite enough for us and you.
Be on your way, instead, to those who sell it and buy for yourselves.'
While they were going off to buy, the bridegroom
arrived, and the virgins that were
ready went in with him to the marriage (5)
feast; and the door was shut. Afterwards the rest of the virgins also came,
saying, 'Sir, sir, open to us!' In answer he said, 'I tell you the truth, I do
not know you.' (6)
"Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know
neither the day nor the hour.""
(Matt 25:1
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