3
and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance.
4
And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable:
5
The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.
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And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
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And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
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A nd other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.
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And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
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Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
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And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
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And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.