¹⁸ Hear then ye the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. ²⁰ And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; ²¹ yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. ²² And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the ^[a]world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

¹³ And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower soweth the word. ¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. ¹⁶ And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; ¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. ¹⁸ And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of the ^[a]world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. ²⁰ And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ¹⁵ And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with ^[a]patience.