A Lamp on a Stand

²¹ He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?^{(A) 22} For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.^{(B) 23} If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”^(C)

²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.^{(D) 25} Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”^(E)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.^(F) A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”^(G)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed^(H)

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,^(I) or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.^{(J) 34} He did not say anything to them without using a parable.^(K) But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

²⁰ “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil;^(A) yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. ²¹ Do not turn away after useless^(B) idols.^(C) They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. ²² For the sake^(D) of his great name^(E) the Lord will not reject^(F) his people, because the Lord was pleased to make^(G) you his own. ²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray^(H) for you. And I will teach^(I) you the way that is good and right. ²⁴ But be sure to fear^(J) the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart;^(K) consider^(L) what great^(M) things he has done for you.