Epístola dos Apóstolos 43

1E sereis semelhantes às virgens prudentes que vigiaram e não dormiram, mas saíram ao encontro do senhor para a câmara nupcial; porém as virgens néscias não puderam vigiar, mas tosquenejaram. E dissemos-lhe: Senhor, quem são as prudentes e quem são as néscias? Ele nos disse: Cinco prudentes e cinco néscias; pois estas são aquelas de quem o profeta falou: Filhos de Deus são eles. Ouvi agora os seus nomes.

1And ye shall be like the wise virgins which watched and slept not, but went forth unto the lord into the bridechamber: but the foolish virgins were not able to watch, but slumbered. And we said unto him: Lord, who are the wise and who are the foolish? He said unto us: Five wise and five foolish; for these are they of whom the prophet hath spoken: Sons of God are they. Hear now their names.

2Nós, porém, choramos e ficamos perturbados por causa das que tosquenejaram. Ele nos disse: As cinco prudentes são Fé, Amor, Graça, Paz e Esperança. Ora, aqueles dentre os fiéis que possuem estas virtudes serão guias para os que creram em mim e naquele que me enviou. Pois eu sou o Senhor e sou o noivo a quem receberam; e entraram na casa do noivo e reclinaram-se comigo na câmara nupcial, regozijando-se. Mas as cinco néscias, quando dormiram e despertaram, vieram à porta da câmara nupcial e bateram, pois as portas estavam fechadas. Então choraram e lamentaram porque ninguém lhes abria.

2But we wept and were troubled for them that slumbered. He said unto us: The five wise are Faith and Love and Grace and Peace and Hope. Now they of the faithful which possess this (these) shall be guides unto them that have believed on me and on him that sent me. For I am the Lord and I am the bridegroom whom they have received, and they have entered in to the house of the bridegroom and are laid down with me in the bridal chamber rejoicing. But the five foolish, when they had slept and had awaked, came unto the door of the bridal chamber and knocked, for the doors were shut. Then did they weep and lament that no man opened unto them.

3Dissemos-lhe: Senhor, e as suas irmãs prudentes que estavam dentro da casa do noivo, permaneceram sem abrir-lhes, e não se entristeceram por causa delas nem rogaram ao noivo que lhes abrisse? Ele nos respondeu, dizendo: Ainda não puderam alcançar graça para elas. Dissemos-lhe: Senhor, em que dia entrarão por amor de suas irmãs? Então ele nos disse: Aquele que está de fora, de fora fica. E dissemos-lhe: Senhor, é irrevogável esta palavra? Quem são então as néscias? Disse-nos ele: Ouvi os seus nomes. São Conhecimento, Entendimento, Obediência, Paciência e Compaixão. Estas são as que tosquenejaram naqueles que creram e me confessaram, mas não cumpriram os meus mandamentos.

3We said unto him: Lord, and their wise sisters that were within in the bridegroom's house, did they continue without opening unto them, and did they not sorrow for their sakes nor entreat the bridegroom to open unto them? He answered us, saying: They were not yet able to obtain favour for them. We said unto him: Lord, on what day shall they enter in for their sisters' sake? Then said he unto us: He that is shut out, is shut out. And we said unto him: Lord, is this word (determined?). Who then are the foolish? He said unto us: Hear their names. They are Knowledge, Understanding (Perception), Obedience, Patience, and Compassion. These are they that slumbered in them that have believed and confessed me but have not fulfilled my commandments.