King James Bible
"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out."
The five unprepared virgins now address their prudent counterparts, revealing the distinction between those who planned ahead and those who didn't. This moment occurs during the bridegroom's arrival, when preparation time has expired and consequences become apparent. The foolish virgins request a share of the wise virgins' oil, attempting to compensate for their lack of foresight through last-minute borrowing. In the parable's context, oil symbolizes spiritual readiness that cannot be transferred from one person to another. Their lamps have extinguished at the critical moment of the bridegroom's arrival, exposing their unpreparedness. The darkened lamps represent the visible failure of inadequate spiritual preparation when Christ's return (the wedding feast) is at hand.