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"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
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Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
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Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
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but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
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But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
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And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
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Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
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And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
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But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
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And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
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Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
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But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
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Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
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"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
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And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
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Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
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And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
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But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
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After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
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So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
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His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
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He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
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His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
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Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
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And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
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But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.