“And it came to
pass afterward, that He went throughout every city and village, preaching and
shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God and the twelve were with him,
and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary
called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna wife of Chuza,
Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others which ministered unto him of
their substance. And when much people were gathered together, and were come to
him out of every city, he spake by a parable: a sower went out to sow his seeds
and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and fowls
of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung
up, it withered away because it lacked moisture and some fell among thorns; and
the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And other fell on good ground and
sprang up and bare fruits an hundred fold. And when he had said these things,
he cried ‘he that hath ears to hear, let him hear’. And his disciples asked him
saying, ‘what might this parable be? And he said ‘unto you it is given to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parable; that seeing they
might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now, the parable is this:
the seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear, then
cometh the devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should
believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which when they hear, receive
the word with joy; and these have no roots which for a while believe and in
time of temptation, fall away. And that which fell among thornsare they which
when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and
pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good
ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep
it, and bring forth fruit with patience. No man when he had lighted a candle,
covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a
candle stick that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret
that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid that shall not be known
and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him
shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which
he seemeth to have. Then came to him his mother and his brethren and could not
come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which saith, ‘thy
mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee’. And he answered
and saith unto them, ‘my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word
of God and do it’.” (Luke 8:1-21)
