1. That same day Jesus left the house and sat by the Sea of Galilee.
2. Large crowds gathered around him. So he got into a boat. He sat down in it. All the people stood on the shore.
3. Then he told them many things by using stories. He said, "A farmer went out to plant his seed.
4. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. Birds came and ate it up.
5. Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn't much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn't deep.
6. When the sun came up, it burned the plants. They dried up because they had no roots.
7. Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants.
8. Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than what was planted.
9. Those who have ears should listen."
10. The disciples came to him. They asked, "Why do you use stories when you speak to the people?"