that (A)their hearts may be encouraged, being (B)knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of (C)God's mystery, which is Christ, (D)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice (A)for understanding,
if you seek it like (B)silver
    and search for it as for (C)hidden treasures,
then (D)you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
For (E)the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

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19 For it is written,

(A)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

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(A)When you read this, you can perceive my insight into (B)the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

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The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, (A)“To you it has been given to know (B)the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 (C)For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, (D)even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because (E)seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, (F)nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

(G)“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears (H)they can barely hear,
    and (I)their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and (J)understand with their heart
    and (K)turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But (L)blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

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