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Introduction
The Parable of the Ten Virgins was told as a caution to those who think that conscientious preparation for the Hereafter is unnecessary. Five young women hired as lamp-bearers for a Jewish wedding assumed they could beg, borrow or buy oil when the time came.
THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.* While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.*
* Oil was precious commodity. The foolish virgins hoped to save on domestic expenses and beg oil from the bridegroom or from the other virgins.
* To make the lamps burn bright and clean for the ceremony, their wicks had to be cut down.
Précis
A bridegroom engaged ten young women to carry lamps at his wedding. Five cared enough to bring their own oil from home, but the others did not. As it happened, the bridegroom was delayed, and all ten virgins fell asleep waiting for him. When at last he came, they jumped to their feet and starting preparing their lamps. (58 / 60 words)
A bridegroom engaged ten young women to carry lamps at his wedding. Five cared enough to bring their own oil from home, but the others did not. As it happened, the bridegroom was delayed, and all ten virgins fell asleep waiting for him. When at last he came, they jumped to their feet and starting preparing their lamps.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, if, must, otherwise, until, whereas, whether.
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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