16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear;
17 for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye behold and did not see them, and to hear the things which ye hear and did not hear them.
18 Ye, therefore, hear the parable of the sower.
19 From every one who hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the wicked one comes and catches away what was sown in his heart: this is he that is sown by the wayside.
20 But he that is sown on the rocky places--this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,
21 but has no root in himself, but is for a time only; and when tribulation or persecution happens on account of the word, he is immediately offended.
22 And he that is sown among the thorns--this is he who hears the word, and the anxious care of this life, and the deceit of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.