Matthew 13:16–24

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.e 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you seef but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdomg and does not understand it, the evil oneh comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.i 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealthj choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”k

The Parable of the Weeds

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is likel a man who sowed good seed in his field.