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And Jesus concluded, "Listen, then, if you have ears!"
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When Jesus was alone, some of those who had heard him came to him with the twelve disciples and asked him to explain the parables.
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"You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God," Jesus answered. "But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables,
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so that,
1 "They may look and look, yet not see; they may listen and listen, yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn to God, and he would forgive them.' "
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Then Jesus asked them, "Don't you understand this parable? How, then, will you ever understand any parable?
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The sower sows God's message.
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Some people are like the seeds that fall along the path; as soon as they hear the message, Satan comes and takes it away.
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Other people are like the seeds that fall on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the message, they receive it gladly.
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But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.
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Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message,
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but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.