¹⁴ I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power.

¹⁵ By me kings reign and rulers decree justice.^(A)

¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth.

¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.^(B)

¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God).^(C)

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and my increase than choice silver.

²⁰ I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice,

⁵ A sower went out to sow seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the traveled path and was trodden underfoot, and the birds of the air ate it up.

⁶ And some [seed] fell on the rock, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away because it had no moisture.

⁷ And other [seed] fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it [off].

⁸ And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him ^[a]consider and understand by hearing!

⁹ And when His disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable,

¹⁰ He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend.^(A)

¹¹ Now the meaning of the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.

¹² Those along the traveled road are the people who have heard; then the devil comes and carries away the message out of their hearts, that they may not believe (^[b]acknowledge Me as their Savior and devote themselves to Me) and be saved [here and hereafter].

¹³ And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof).

¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection).

¹⁵ But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (^[c]noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.