"Thereforebe on the alert,for you do not knowwhichdayyour Lordis coming.
"But of that dayand hourno oneknows,not eventhe angelsof heaven,northe Son,but the Fatheralone.
"But be sureof this,that ifthe head of the househad knownat whattime of the nightthe thiefwas coming,he would have been on the alertand would not have allowedhis houseto be brokeninto.
"For thisreasonyou alsomust be ready;for the Sonof Manis comingat an hourwhenyou do not think[He will].
"And while they were going awayto make the purchase,the bridegroomcame,and thosewho were readywentin with him to the wedding feast;and the doorwas shut.
"Be on the alertthen,for you do not knowthe daynorthe hour.
"Be on guard,sothat your heartswill not be weighted downwith dissipationand drunkennessand the worriesof life,and that daywill not comeon you suddenlylikea trap;
"But keep on the alertat alltimes,prayingthat you may have strengthto escapeallthese thingsthat are aboutto take place,and to standbeforethe Sonof Man."
[Do] this,knowingthe time,that it is alreadythe hourfor you to awakenfrom sleep;for nowsalvationis nearerto us thanwhenwe believed.
Be on the alert,stand firmin the faith,act like men,be strong.
so thenlet us not sleepas othersdo, but let us be alertand sober.
The endof all thingsis near;therefore,be of sound judgmentand sober[spirit] for the purpose of prayer.
Be of sober[spirit], be on the alert.Your adversary,the devil,prowls aroundlikea roaringlion,seekingsomeoneto devour.
("Behold,I am cominglikea thief.Blessedis the one who stays awakeand keepshis clothes,sothat he will not walk aboutnakedand men will not seehis shame.")
