Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and**Here "and" is supplied because the previous participle ("took") has been translated as a finite verb went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 For when**Here "when" is supplied as a component of the participle ("took") which is understood as temporal the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took olive oil in flasks with their lamps. 5 And when**Here "when" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was delayed") the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to sleep", "fell asleep")6 But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!’ 9 But the wise ones answered saying, "Certainly there will never be enough for us and for you! Go instead to those who sell olive oil**Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and buy some**Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation for yourselves.’ 10 But while**Here "while" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("had gone away") they had gone away to buy it**Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut. 11 And later the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open the door**Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation for us!’ 12 But he answered and**Here "and" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you!’ 13 Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know the day or the hour!