Matthew 13:18–30

¹⁸Hear then ye the parable of the sower. ¹⁹When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. ²⁰And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; ²¹yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. ²²And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

²⁴Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. ²⁷And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? ²⁸And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ²⁹But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.