4And he began again
to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude,
so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude
was by the sea on the land. 2 And
he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3Hearken;
Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it
came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the
air came and devoured it up. 5 And some
fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang
up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when
the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered
away. 7 And some
fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded
no fruit. 8 And other
fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and
brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And
he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear. 10 And
when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him
the parable. 11 And
he said unto them, Unto you it is given to
know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without,
all these things are done in parables: 12 That
seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not
understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should
be forgiven them. 13 And
he said unto them, Know ye not this parable?
and how then will ye know all parables?
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when
they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that
was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when
they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward,
when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately
they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the
lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word,
and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and
some an hundred.
21And he said unto them,
Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to
be set on a candlestick? 22 For there
is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept
secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any
man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And
he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear:
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that
hear shall more be given. 25 For he
that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be
taken even that which he hath. 26 And
he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if
a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should
sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he
knoweth not how. 28 For the
earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when
the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because
the harvest is come. 30 And
he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom
of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is
like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less
than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when
it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth
out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow
of it. 33 And
with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to
hear it. 34 But
without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded
all things to his disciples. 35 And
the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let
us pass over unto the other side. 36 And
when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the
ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And
there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so
that it was now full. 38 And
he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake
him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And
he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace,
be still. And the wind ceased, and there
was a great calm. 40 And
he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?
how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And
they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
