Part 3 (1/2)

[31] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

[32] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

[33] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

[34] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

[35] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [36] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

[37] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

[38] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

[39] And 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?

[40] For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

[41] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

[42] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [43] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

[44] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

[45] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

[46] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

[47] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

[48] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

[49] Then Jesus sent the mult.i.tude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

[50] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [51] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [52] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

[53] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

[54] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and all them which do iniquity; [55] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnas.h.i.+ng of teeth.

[56] Then shall the righteous s.h.i.+ne forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

[57] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

[58] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [59] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

[60] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [61] Which, when it was full, they drew it to sh.o.r.e, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

[62] So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [63] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnas.h.i.+ng of teeth.

[64] Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

[65] Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

[66] And he said, So is the kingdom of G.o.d, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; [67] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

[68] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

[69] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

[70] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of G.o.d? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

[71] 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: [72] 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.

[73] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

[74] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

CHAPTER 6.

[1] And it came to pa.s.s that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

[2] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

[3] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

[4] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of G.o.d.

[5] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

[6] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of G.o.d.

[7] And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

[8] And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

[9] And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and [10] Many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

[11] And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

[12] When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[13] And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.