Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground,
26
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how.
27
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
28
All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
29
As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
30 And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
30
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
31
It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
32
Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it;
33
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
34 he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
34
He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.