Matthew 13:3-14

3He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.

4As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.

5Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

6But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.

7Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.

8Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

9Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

10His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.

12To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

13That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

14This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.