¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

⁴⁰ Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

² It is vain for you to rise up early, To stay up late, Eating the bread of toil; For he gives sleep to his loved ones.

³ Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

¹⁰ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Gospel of God.

⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;

⁹ not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.