1. That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
2. Large crowds gathered around him. So Jesus got into a boat and sat, while the people stayed on the shore.
3. Then Jesus used stories to teach them many things. He said: “A farmer went out to plant his seed.
4. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed.
5. Some seed fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t enough dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep.
6. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they did not have deep roots.
7. Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. The weeds grew and choked the good plants.
8. Some other seed fell on good ground where it grew and became grain. Some plants made 100 times more grain. Other plants made 60 times more grain, and some made 30 times more grain.
9. Let those with ears use them and listen!”