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.

With the ceremony ready to begin, the foolish virgins began to beg their five colleagues for oil. But the wise virgins had brought enough only for themselves, and urged the foolish virgins to go and buy oil in town. By the time they came back, the ceremony had begun, and the doors were shut fast.

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