³² To them you are like a singer of love songs,^[a] one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed,^[a] and yet he liked to listen to him.^(A)

³⁵ He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.^(A)

¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But they have no root and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.^[a]