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)

⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’^(A) I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

²⁴ All the trees of the forest^(A) will know that I the Lord bring down^(B) the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.^(C)

“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.^(D)’”