12
For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.
13
I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand.
14
And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "`You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see.
15
For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might heal them.'
16
"But as for you, blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17
For I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and holy men have longed to see the sights you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the words you hear, and have not heard them.
18
"To you then I will explain the parable of the Sower.
19
When a man hears the Message concerning the Kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil one comes and catches away what has been sown in his heart. This is he who has received the seed by the road-side.
20
He who has received the seed on the rocky ground is the man who hears the Message and immediately receives it with joy.
21
It has struck no root, however, within him. He continues for a time, but when suffering comes, or persecution, because of the Message, he at once stumbles and falls.
22
He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful.