Matthew 13:24-30

The Story of the Weeds

24 Jesus told the crowd another story. "Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like," he said. "A man planted good seed in his field.

25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came. The enemy planted weeds among the wheat and then went away.

26 The wheat began to grow and form grain. At the same time, weeds appeared.

27 "The owner's servants came to him. They said, 'Sir, didn't you plant good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?'

28 " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull the weeds up?'

29 " 'No,' the owner answered. 'While you are pulling up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the workers what to do. Here is what I will say to them. First collect the weeds. Tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat. Bring it into my storeroom.' "