Luke 8:1-6

1 He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God's kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him.
2 There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3 Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's manager; and Susanna - along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company.
4 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story:
5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it.
6 Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots.
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.