¹³ Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while ^(A)seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ¹⁴ And ^[a]in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

¹⁰ As soon as He was alone, ^[a]His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables. ¹¹ And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for ^(A)those who are outside, everything comes ^(B)in parables, ¹² so that ^(C)while seeing they may see, and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear, and not understand, otherwise they might return and it would be forgiven them.”

¹⁰ And He said, “^(A)To you it has been granted to know the ^[a]mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables, so that ^[b](B)while seeing they may not see, and ^[c]while hearing they may not understand.

³⁷ But though He had performed so many ^[a]signs in their sight, they still were not believing in Him. ³⁸ This happened so that the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke would be fulfilled: “^(A)Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” ³⁹ For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, ⁴⁰ “^(B)He has blinded their eyes and He ^(C)hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and ^[b]be converted, and so I will not heal them.” ⁴¹ These things Isaiah said because ^(D)he saw His glory, and ^(E)he spoke about Him.

⁸ just as it is written:

⁹ And David says,

^24 (A)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. ²⁵ And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,

²⁸ Therefore, let it be known to you that ^(E)this salvation of God has been sent ^(F)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”^[e]

¹⁴ But their minds were ^(A)hardened; for until this very day at the ^(B)reading of ^(C)the old covenant the same veil ^[a]remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. ¹⁵ But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts;

Isaiah’s Commission

⁸ Then I heard the ^(A)voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then ^(B)I said, “Here am I. Send me!” ⁹ And He said, “Go, and tell this people: