16
Others are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching and quickly accept it with joy.
17
But since they don't allow the teaching to go deep into their lives, they keep it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they quickly give up.
18
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching,
19
but the worries of this life, the temptation of wealth, and many other evil desires keep the teaching from growing and producing fruitn in their lives.
20
Others are like the seed planted in the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce fruit -- sometimes thirty times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes a hundred times more."
21
Then Jesus said to them, "Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand.
22
Everything that is hidden will be made clear and every secret thing will be made known.
23
You people who can hear me, listen!
24
"Think carefully about what you hear. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more.
25
Those who have understanding will be given more. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them."
26
Then Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is like someone who plants seed in the ground.