¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of ^[a]temptation fall away.

²⁰ for Herod ^(A)feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he ^[a]did many things, and heard him gladly.

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

²⁰ But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately ^(A)receives it with joy; ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when ^(B)tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately ^(C)he stumbles.

³¹ So ^(A)they come to you as people do, they ^(B)sit before you as My people, and they ^(C)hear your words, but they do not do them; ^(D)for with their mouth they show much love, but ^(E)their hearts pursue their own gain. ³² Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do ^(F)not do them.

¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

²⁵ Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” ²⁶ Meanwhile he also hoped that ^(A)money would be given him by Paul, ^[a]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because ^(A)you thought that ^(B)the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your ^(C)heart is not right in the sight of God.

^19 (A)Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”