Parable Of The Ten Bridesmaids
Worship
In the Beginning Was the Word
Scriptures For The Lectionary Speaking Choir, Cycle A
Suggestions:
Use as an anthem.
5 readers - 2 older women, 1 young man, 2 young women
Key:
1 = narrator
2 = voice in the night
3 = a foolish bridesmaid
4 = a wise bridesmaid
5 = bridegroom
1: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
(1:) When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout,
2: 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
1: Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise,
3: 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out!'
1: But the wise replied,
4: 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
1: And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying,
3: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
1: But he replied,
5: 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
1: Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Use as an anthem.
5 readers - 2 older women, 1 young man, 2 young women
Key:
1 = narrator
2 = voice in the night
3 = a foolish bridesmaid
4 = a wise bridesmaid
5 = bridegroom
1: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
(1:) When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout,
2: 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
1: Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise,
3: 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out!'
1: But the wise replied,
4: 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
1: And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying,
3: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
1: But he replied,
5: 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
1: Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
