"Nowwhile the bridegroomwas delaying,they allgot drowsyand [began] to sleep.
"On my bednightafter night I soughthim Whommy soulloves;I soughthim but did not findhim.
"I was asleepbut my heartwas awake.A voice!My belovedwas knocking:'Opento me, my sister,my darling,My dove,my perfectone!For my headis drenchedwith dew,My lockswith the dampof the night.'
"I have takenoffmy dress,Howcan I putit on [again]? I have washedmy feet,Howcan I dirtythem [again]?
"For the visionis yetfor the appointedtime;It hastenstoward the goaland it will not fail.Thoughit tarries,waitfor it; For it will certainlycome,it will not delay.
"But ifthat evilslavesaysin his heart,My masteris not coming for a long time,'
"Nowaftera longtimethe masterof thoseslavescameand settledaccountswith them.
but the prudenttookoilin flasksalong with their lamps.
"But at midnightthere was a shout,'Behold,the bridegroom!Comeout to meet[him].'
And He cameto the disciplesand foundthem sleeping,and saidto Peter,"So,you [men] couldnot keep watchwith Me for onehour?
AgainHe cameand foundthem sleeping,for their eyeswere heavy.
The peoplewere waitingfor Zacharias,and were wonderingat his delayin the temple.
"But ifthat slavesaysin his heart,'My masterwill be a long timein coming,'and beginsto beatthe slaves,[both] menand women,and to eatand drinkand get drunk;
"I tellyou that He will bring aboutjusticefor them quickly.However,when the Sonof Mancomes,will He findfaithon the earth?"
And He beganto tellthe peoplethisparable:"A manplanteda vineyardand rentedit out to vine-growers,and went on a journeyfor a longtime.
[Do] this,knowingthe time,that it is alreadythe hourfor you to awakenfrom sleep;for nowsalvationis nearerto us thanwhenwe believed.
For this reasonit says,"Awake,sleeper,And arisefrom the dead,And Christwill shineon you."
Be of sober[spirit], be on the alert.Your adversary,the devil,prowls aroundlikea roaringlion,seekingsomeoneto devour.
Neverthelesswhatyou have,hold fastuntilI come.
