“But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through.  Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

“Take ye heed, watch and pray:  for ye know not when the time is.  It is as when a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch.  Watch therefore:  for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.  But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, ‘My lord tarrieth;’ and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites:  there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”

THREE LESSONS TO THE DISCIPLES.

THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.  For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  But at midnight there is a cry, ’Behold, the bridegroom!  Come ye forth to meet him.’  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, ’Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ’Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you:  go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’

“And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast:  and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ’Lord, Lord, open to us.’  But he answered and said, ’Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’

“Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.

“For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.  Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents.  In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.  But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.