And he said unto them,
Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables. Hear ye therefore the parable of
[100]the sower. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The sower soweth the word. Those by the way-side where the word is sown, are they that hear the word of the kingdom; but when they have heard, and understandeth it not, then Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts: lest they should believe and be saved. This is he which received seed by the way-side.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, in time of temptation, when affliction or persecution ariseth, for the word's sake, immediately they are offended, and fall away.
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have
[101]heard the word, go forth, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures of this life, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience; some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
And he said unto them,
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bushel, or under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, that shall not be known and come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.