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,

[b](B)You shall keep on listening, [c]but shall not understand;
And [d]you shall keep on looking, [e]but shall not perceive;
15 (C)For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their heart, and return,
And I would heal them.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:14 Lit for them
  2. Matthew 13:14 Lit With a hearing you shall hear; a Heb idiom
  3. Matthew 13:14 Lit and
  4. Matthew 13:14 Lit Seeing you shall see
  5. Matthew 13:14 Lit and

13 This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things]. 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

You will hear and keep on hearing, but never understand;
And you will look and keep on looking, but never comprehend;
15 
For this nation’s heart has grown hard,
And with their ears they hardly hear,
And they have [tightly] closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart, and turn [to Me]
And I would heal them [spiritually].’(A)

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