17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them.
18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who was planted beside the way.
20. But he that was planted in stony places, the same is he that hears the word and receives it immediately with joy;
21. yet he has no root in himself but is temporal, for when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22. And he that was planted among the thorns is he that hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.