19
"When anyonehears2the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, 3the evil one comes and snatchesawaywhat has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sownbeside the road.
20
"The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediatelyreceives it with joy;
21
yet he hasno firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when afflictionorpersecutionarisesbecause of the word, immediately he 4fallsaway.
22
"And the one on whom seed was sownamong the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of 5the world and the 6deceitfulness of wealthchoke the word, and it becomesunfruitful.
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"And the one on whom seed was sown on the goodsoil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; whoindeedbearsfruit and bringsforth, some7a hundredfold, somesixty, and somethirty."
Tares among Wheat
24 Jesus presentedanotherparable to them, saying, "8The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowedgoodseed in his field.
25
"But while his men were sleeping, his enemycame and sowedtaresamong* the wheat, and wentaway.
26
"But when the wheatsprouted and boregrain, then the taresbecameevidentalso.
27
"The slaves of the landownercame and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sowgoodseed in your field? Howthen does it havetares?'
28
"And he said to them, 'An enemy* has donethis!' The slavessaid to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'