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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
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.