Matthew 13:10-17

English Standard Version

The Purpose of the Parables

¹⁰Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” ¹¹And he answered them, ^(A)“To you it has been given to know ^(B)the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹²^(C)For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, ^(D)even what he has will be taken away. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables, because ^(E)seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, ^(F)nor do they understand. ¹⁴Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

^(G)“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
¹⁵For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears ^(H)they can barely hear,
    and ^(I)their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and ^(J)understand with their heart
    and ^(K)turn, and I would heal them.’

¹⁶But ^(L)blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷^(M)For truly, I say to you, ^(N)many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

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James 1:19-25

English Standard Version

Hearing and Doing the Word

¹⁹^(A)Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person ^(B)be quick to hear, ^(C)slow to speak, ^(D)slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹Therefore ^(E)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with ^(F)meekness the implanted word, ^(G)which is able to save your souls.

²²But be ^(H)doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵But the one who looks into the perfect law, ^(I)the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, ^(J)he will be blessed in his doing.