⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!^(A)

²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.^{(A) 22} The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth^(B) choke the word, making it unfruitful.

¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted^(A) will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides.^[a](B) If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”^(C)

¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth^(A) and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Sin, Faith, Duty

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble^(A) are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.^(B)

⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.^{(A) 55} For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.

⁷ What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.^(A) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,^{(B) 8} as it is written:

⁹ And David says: