⁷ No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?

¹² Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.

¹² Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?

¹⁴ The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?

²² For their downfall will come suddenly; and who has knowledge of the destruction of those in high positions?

¹ But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.

² For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

³ When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.

⁶ But in the middle of the night there is a cry, The husband comes! Go out to him.

⁷ Then all those virgins got up, and made ready their lights.

⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lights are going out.

⁹ But the wise made answer, saying, There may not be enough for us and you; it would be better for you to go to the traders and get oil for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to get oil, the master came; and those who were ready went in with him to the feast: and the door was shut.

¹¹ After that the other virgins came, saying, Lord, Lord, let us in.

¹² But he made answer and said, Truly I say to you, I have no knowledge of you.

¹³ Keep watch, then, because you are not certain of the day or of the hour.

⁵⁰ The lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and in an hour of which he has no knowledge,

⁴⁴ Be ready then; for at a time which you have no thought of the Son of man will come.

²² So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

¹ A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.