¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it ^(A)with joy.

²⁰ for Herod ^(A)feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he ^(B)heard him gladly.

¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it ^(A)with joy. But these have no root; they ^(B)believe for a while, and in time of testing ^(C)fall away.

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

²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately ^(A)receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but ^(B)endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately ^(C)he falls away.^[a]

^31 (A)And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for ^(B)with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. ³² And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and ^(C)plays^[a] well on an instrument, for ^(D)they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

¹³ Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And ^(A)seeing signs and ^(B)great miracles^[a] performed, ^(C)he was amazed.

²⁵ And as he reasoned ^(A)about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. ^(B)When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he hoped ^(C)that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

¹⁸ Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” ²⁰ But Peter said to him, ^(A)“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God ^(B)with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for ^(C)your heart is not right before God.