¹⁰

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

¹¹

And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,

¹²

so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.' "

¹³

And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

¹⁴

The sower sows the word.

¹⁵

And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶

These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

¹⁷

and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.

¹⁸

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,

¹⁹

and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

²⁰

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

²¹

Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

²²

For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

²³

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.