²⁰ As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy;

²¹ Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, ^[a]lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and ^[b]begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.

¹⁶ And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy;

¹⁷ And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.

²³ And blessed (happy—^[a]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions—and ^[b]to be envied) is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [^[c]whatever may occur].