⁷ Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

³ For thus says the Lord to the people of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem:

⁷ Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.^{(A) 8} But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.^(B)

Exhortation to Watch

³⁴ “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,^(A)

¹⁴ As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

¹⁸ And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the age and the lure of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing.

⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this^[a] age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.^(A)

⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.