The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like (A)ten virgins who took their lamps[a] and went to meet (B)the bridegroom.[b] Five of them were foolish, and five were (C)wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom (D)was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But (E)at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and (F)trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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 (G)those who were ready went in with him to (H)the marriage feast, and (I)the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, (J)‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 (K)But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, (L)I do not know you.’ 13 (M)Watch therefore, for you (N)know neither the day nor the hour.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:1 Or torches
  2. Matthew 25:1 Some manuscripts add and the bride

Deliver Me from My Enemies

To the choirmaster: according to (A)Do Not Destroy. A (B)Miktam[a] of David, (C)when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

59 (D)Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
    (E)protect me from those who (F)rise up against me;
deliver me from (G)those who work evil,
    and save me from (H)bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they (I)lie in wait for my life;
    fierce men (J)stir up strife against me.
(K)For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
    for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
(L)Awake, come to meet me, and see!
    You, (M)Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
    spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they (N)come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
There they are, (O)bellowing with their mouths
    with (P)swords in their lips—
    for (Q)“Who,” they think,[b] “will hear us?”

But you, O Lord, (R)laugh at them;
    you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
    for you, O God, are (S)my fortress.
10 (T)My God in his steadfast love[c] (U)will meet me;
    God will let me (V)look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;
    make them totter[d] by your power and (W)bring them down,
    O Lord, our (X)shield!
12 For (Y)the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
    let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13     (Z)consume them in wrath;
    consume them till they are no more,
that they may (AA)know that God rules over Jacob
    to (AB)the ends of the earth. Selah

14 (AC)Each evening they come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
15 They (AD)wander about for food
    and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me (AE)a fortress
    and (AF)a refuge in (AG)the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, (AH)are my fortress,
    (AI)the God who shows me steadfast love.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 59:7 Hebrew lacks they think
  3. Psalm 59:10 Or The God who shows me steadfast love
  4. Psalm 59:11 Or wander

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Chronological Bible (TruTone, Brown), Leather, imitation
ESV Chronological Bible (TruTone, Brown), Leather, imitation
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $30.00
Save: $39.99 (57%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $12.49
Save: $32.50 (72%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $4.43
Save: $5.56 (56%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Action Study Bible Boys, Virtual Leather, Slate Gray
ESV Action Study Bible Boys, Virtual Leather, Slate Gray
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $21.22
Save: $23.77 (53%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars