THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. (2)And five of them were wise, and five foolish. (3)The foolish, taking their lamps, took no oil with them; (4)but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5)While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6)And at midnight a cry was made: Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him. (7)Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (8)And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are going out. (9)But the wise answered, saying: Not so; there will not be enough for us and you. Go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. (10)And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut. (11)And afterward come also the rest of the virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. (12)But he answering said: Verily I say to you, I know you not. (13)Watch, therefore; because ye know not the day, nor the hour! (14)For as a man going abroad called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods; (15)and to one gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and straightway went abroad. (16)And he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained other five talents. (17)Likewise also he that received the two gained other two. (18)But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19)After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. (20)And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou deliveredst to me five talents; behold, I gained other five talents beside them. (21)His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou wast faithful over a little, I will set thee over much. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22)And he also that received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst to me two talents; behold, I gained other two talents beside them. (23)His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou wast faithful over a little, I will set thee over much. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24)And he also that received the one talent came and said: Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou strewedst not. (25)And fearing, I went and hid thy talent in the earth. Lo, thou hast thine own. (26)And his lord answering said to him: Wicked and slothful servant! Thou knewest that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I strewed not? (27)Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers; and when I came, I should have received my own with interest. (28)Take therefore the talent from him, and give to him that has the ten talents. (29)For to every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that has