1. The next day, while Jesus was traveling through some cities and small towns, he preached and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. The 12 apostles were with him.
2. There were also some women with him who had been healed of sicknesses and evil spirits. One of the women was Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.
3. Also among the women were Joanna, the wife of Chuza (Herod’s helper), Susanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.
4. A great crowd gathered. People were coming to Jesus from every town. He told them this story:
5. “A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate all this seed.
6. Some seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water.
7. Some seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds choked the good plants.