²⁸ For the earth ^(A)yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness ^(A)which are by Jesus Christ, ^(B)to the glory and praise of God.

³¹ It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; ³² but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and ^(A)abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish ^(B)your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.