But ever be on your guard, so that your hearts may not be loaded down with self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries, and that day, like a trap, catch you unawares.

The kingdom

and saying, "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near."

He told them another story, as follows: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed seed in his field.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like an owner of an estate who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king, who gave a wedding reception for his son.

Ten

I prize and praise you for always remembering me and for firmly standing by the teachings as I passed them on to you.

These are the men who have not been defiled by relations with women, for they are as pure as virgins, These are the men who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among men as the first fruits for God and the Lamb,

Which

Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven.

"You must keep your belts tight and your lamps burning,

so that you may prove to be blameless and spotless, faultless children of God in a crooked and perverted age, in which you shine as light-bearers in the world as you continue

Went

Now the crown for doing right awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only me but also all who have loved His appearing.

while we are waiting for the realization of our blessed hope at the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus,

Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder,

since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away!

The bridegroom

Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn, can they, as long as they have the bridegroom with them? But a time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king, who gave a wedding reception for his son.

Jesus answered them, "The wedding guests cannot fast, can they, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

But Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

It is the bridegroom who has the bride, but the bridegroom's friend, who stands outside and listens to him, is very happy to hear the bridegroom's voice. So this happiness of mine is running over.

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, as I betrothed you to Christ, to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.

You married men must love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Let us be glad and shout for joy and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.

And I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride to join her husband.