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And a great multitude having gathered, and those who from city and city were coming unto him, he spake by a simile:
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`The sower went forth to sow his seed, and in his sowing some indeed fell beside the way, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the heaven did devour it.
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`And other fell upon the rock, and having sprung up, it did wither, through not having moisture.
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`And other fell amidst the thorns, and the thorns having sprung up with it, did choke it.
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`And other fell upon the good ground, and having sprung up, it made fruit an hundred fold.' These things saying, he was calling, `He having ears to hear -- let him hear.'
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And his disciples were questioning him, saying, `What may this simile be?'
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And he said, `To you it hath been given to know the secrets of the reign of God, and to the rest in similes; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
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`And this is the simile: The seed is the word of God,
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and those beside the way are those hearing, then cometh the Devil, and taketh up the word from their heart, lest having believed, they may be saved.
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`And those upon the rock: They who, when they may hear, with joy do receive the word, and these have no root, who for a time believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
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`And that which fell to the thorns: These are they who have heard, and going forth, through anxieties, and riches, and pleasures of life, are choked, and bear not to completion.
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`And that in the good ground: These are they, who in an upright and good heart, having heard the word, do retain [it], and bear fruit in continuance.
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`And no one having lighted a lamp doth cover it with a vessel, or under a couch doth put [it]; but upon a lamp-stand he doth put [it], that those coming in may see the light,
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for nothing is secret, that shall not become manifest, nor hid, that shall not be known, and become manifest.
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`See, therefore, how ye hear, for whoever may have, there shall be given to him, and whoever may not have, also what he seemeth to have, shall be taken from him.'
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And there came unto him his mother and brethren, and they were not able to get to him because of the multitude,
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and it was told him, saying, `Thy mother and thy brethren do stand without, wishing to see thee;'
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and he answering said unto them, `My mother and my brethren! they are those who the word of God are hearing, and doing.'