11
Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given.
12
For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away that also which he hath.
13
Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14
And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who saith: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.
15
For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
16
But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.
17
For, amen, I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them: and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them.
18
Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
19
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side.
20
And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy.
21
Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized.