Matthew 25:10

25:10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then ¹  the door was shut.

Matthew 25:13

25:13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. ² 

Luke 12:40

12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” ³ 

Philippians 4:5

4:5 Let everyone see your gentleness. ⁴  The Lord is near!

James 5:9

5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, ⁵  so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! ⁶ 

Revelation 19:7

19:7 Let us rejoice ⁷  and exult

and give him glory,

because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

² tc Most later mss (C³ ˹³ 1424^c Ï) also read here “in which the Son of Man is coming” (ἐν ᾗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται, en |h Jo Juio" tou anqrwpou ercetai), reproducing almost verbatim the last line of Matt 24:44. The longer reading thus appears to be an explanatory expansion and should not be considered authentic. The earlier and better witnesses ({̳⁵ א A B C* D L W Δ Θ Ë¹ 33 565 892 1424* lat co}) lack this phrase.

³ sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it might take some time – so long, in fact, that some would not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).

⁴ tn Grk “let your gentleness be seen by all.” The passive voice construction has been converted to active voice in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁵ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

⁶ sn The term gates is used metaphorically here. The physical referent would be the entrances to the city, but the author uses the term to emphasize the imminence of the judge’s approach.

⁷ tn This verb and the next two verbs are hortatory subjunctives (giving exhortations).