12 ‘They see clearly but don’t perceive.They hear clearly but don’t understand.They never return to meand are never forgiven.’ ”
13 Jesus asked them, “Don’t you understand this story? How, then, will you understand any of the stories I use as illustrations?
14 “The farmer plants the word.
15 Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. Whenever they hear the word, Satan comes at once and takes away the word that was planted in them.
16 Other people are like seeds that were planted on rocky ground. Whenever they hear the word, they accept it at once with joy.
17 But they don’t develop any roots. They last for a short time. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall ⌊from faith⌋.
18 Other people are like seeds planted among thornbushes. They hear the word,