The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25

¹ "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like _d ten virgins who took their lamps ₁ and went to meet _e the bridegroom. ₂ ² Five of them were foolish, and five were _w wise. ³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom _f was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But _g at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' ⁷ Then all those virgins rose and _h trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' ¹⁰ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and _i those who were ready went in with him to _j the marriage feast, and _k the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, _l 'Lord, lord, open to us.' ¹² _l But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, _m I do not know you.' ¹³ _n Watch therefore, for you _o know neither the day nor the hour.

1. Cross References
   Luke 19:13
   Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.
   
2. Cross References
   Matthew 9:15
   And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
   John 3:29
   The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.
   Revelation 19:7
   Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.
   Revelation 21:2
   And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
   Revelation 21:9
   Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.
   
3. Cross References
   Matthew 24:45
   Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
   
4. Cross References
   Matthew 24:48
   But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed.
   Matthew 25:19
   Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
   Hebrews 10:37
   For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.
   2 Peter 3:4
   They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.
   2 Peter 3:9
   The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
   
5. Cross References
   Mark 13:35
   Therefore stay awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning -
   
6. Cross References
   Luke 12:35
   Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.
   
7. Cross References
   Matthew 24:44
   Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
   
8. Cross References
   Matthew 22:2
   The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
   
9. Cross References
   Matthew 25:10 - 12
   And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
   Luke 13:25 - 27
   When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.
   
10. Cross References
    Matthew 7:22 - 23
    On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?
    
11. Cross References
    Matthew 25:11
    Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.
    
12. Cross References
    Matthew 10:33
    But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
    2 Timothy 2:19
    But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
    
13. Cross References
    Matthew 24:42
    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
    
14. Cross References
    Matthew 24:50
    The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know