THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2)But five of them were provident, and five foolish. (3)Those who were taking their lamps, took no oil with them: (4)but the provident took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5)But as the bridegroom stayed long, they all slumbered and slept. (6)Then at midnight the cry came, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go forth to meet him. (7)Then all these virgins arose, and set about trimming their lamps. (8)And the foolish said to the provident, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9)But the provident replied, saying, No; lest there be not a sufficiency for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. (10)But while they were gone away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were prepared went in with him to the marriage-feast: and the door was shut. (11)Then came afterwards the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. (12)But he answering said, Verily, I know you not. (13)Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh. (14)For the case is like that of a man, who travelling abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. (15)And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad. (16)He then who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and acquired five other talents. (17)In the same manner also he that had the two, gained also himself two others. (18)But he that had received the one talent, went and digged a hole in the ground, and hid the silver of his master. (19)Then after a long absence the master of these servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20)And he who had received the five talents, coming to him, brought five other talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: I have gained to them five other talents. (21)His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter into the joy of thy master. (22)Then came also he that had received the two talents: and said, Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: lo! I have gained to them two other talents. (23)His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter thou into thy master's joy. (24)Then came also he that had received the one talent, and said, Sir, knowing thee, that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering from whence thou hast not scattered: (25)and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own. (26)Then his master answering said to him, Thou wicked and idle slave, thou knewest that I reap whence I had not sown, and gather where I had not scattered: (27)thou oughtest then to have placed my money with the