Matthew 13:24-50

24Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

25But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [resembling wheat] among the wheat, and went away.

26So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also.

27The servants of the owner came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have weeds in it?’

28He replied to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’

29But he said, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.

30Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

31He gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;

32and of all the seeds [planted in the region] it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air find shelter in its branches.”

33He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and worked into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

34All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables, and He said nothing to them without [using] a parable.

35This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things [unknown and unattainable] that have been hidden [from mankind] since the foundation of the world.”

36Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain [clearly] to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

38and the field is the world; and [as for] the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;

39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.

40So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin],

42and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

43Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

44“The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].

45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

46and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was lowered into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind,

48and when it was full, they dragged it up on the beach; and they sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away.

49So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous

50and throw the wicked into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].