4 When a large crowd from several towns had gathered around Jesus, he told them this story:
5 A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was doing it, some of the seeds fell along the road and were stepped on or eaten by birds.
6 Other seeds fell on rocky ground and started growing. But the plants did not have enough water and soon dried up.
7 Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants.
8 The rest of the seeds fell on good ground where they grew and produced a hundred times as many seeds.When Jesus had finished speaking, he said, “If you have ears, pay attention!”
9 Jesus' disciples asked him what the story meant.
10 So he answered:I have explained the secrets about God's kingdom to you, but for others I can only use stories. These people look, but they don't see, and they hear, but they don't understand.