English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
18 He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
18
Then he said, "How can I picture God's kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."
19
It's like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it."
20 And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
20
He tried again. "How can I picture God's kingdom?
21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened."
21
It's like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread - and waits while the dough rises."
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.