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 this, 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 thornbushes 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 use stories, so they will look, but not see, and they will hear, but not understand.