Isaiah 28:23-29

New International Version

²³Listen^(A) and hear my voice;
    pay attention and hear what I say.
²⁴When a farmer plows for planting,^(B) does he plow continually?
    Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
²⁵When he has leveled the surface,
    does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?^(C)
Does he not plant wheat in its place,^[a]
    barley^(D) in its plot,^[b]
    and spelt^(E) in its field?
²⁶His God instructs him
    and teaches^(F) him the right way.

²⁷Caraway is not threshed^(G) with a sledge,^(H)
    nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin;
caraway is beaten out with a rod,^(I)
    and cumin with a stick.
²⁸Grain must be ground to make bread;
    so one does not go on threshing it forever.
The wheels of a threshing cart^(J) may be rolled over it,
    but one does not use horses to grind grain.
²⁹All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
    whose plan is wonderful,^(K)
    whose wisdom is magnificent.^(L)

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Footnotes

Isaiah 28:25 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
Isaiah 28:25 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

Ezekiel 37:23

New International Version

²³They will no longer defile^(A) themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding,^[a]^(B) and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.^(C)

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Footnotes

Ezekiel 37:23 Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts all their dwelling places where they sinned

Ezekiel 37:23 in all English translations

Luke 8:14-15

New International Version

¹⁴The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches^(A) and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

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1 Corinthians 3:1-3

New International Version

The Church and Its Leaders

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit^(A) but as people who are still worldly^(B)—mere infants^(C) in Christ. ²I gave you milk, not solid food,^(D) for you were not yet ready for it.^(E) Indeed, you are still not ready. ³You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling^(F) among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?