4. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.
6. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
7. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain.
8. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
9. He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
10. And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables.
11. He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables,
12. so that‘they may look and see but not perceive,and hear and listen but not understand,in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’”
13. Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?
14. The sower sows the word.
15. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them.
16. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
17. But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.