Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

Mark 4
¹⁵ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.
¹⁶ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.
¹⁷ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
¹⁸ The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,
¹⁹ but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.
²⁰ And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
²¹ Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.
²² For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
²³ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
²⁴ Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.
²⁵ To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”