Bible verses about "seed" | JMNT

⁸ "But still other [seeds] fell into the ideal soil – and, progressively ascending and being caused to continually grow and increase, it was continuing to give (yield) fruit (= a crop), and it kept on bearing into thirty-, in sixty-, even in one hundred- [fold] [other MSS: it was continuing to bear: one, thirty; one sixty; and one a hundred-{fold}]."

¹ Paul, God's slave (a slave of God; one bound to, subjected under and owned by God), yet one sent away with a commission (as an emissary, envoy or ambassador) from, pertaining to and belonging to Jesus Christ (or: a representative of Jesus [the] Anointed), with a view to and corresponding to [the] faith of God's chosen folks (or: in line with a trust and loyalty possessed by and characteristic of God's selected and picked-out ones) and the full, accurate and precise intimate knowledge and experiential insight of Truth and Reality – the [truth and reality] corresponding to and in accord with reverence (or: down from goodness which produces virtuous conduct with devoutness, and in line with ease from a true relation to God) – ² [based; standing] upon an expectation (or: hope) of and from eonian life (life having the quality and characteristics of, and its source in, the Age [of Messiah]; life for and throughout the ages) which the non-lying God (the God without falseness) promised – before eonian times (prior to the times belonging to the ages). ³ Now He manifests (or: brought into clear light) His Logos (His Word; the Thought from Him; the Reason, Idea, communication and expression from Him; the discourse pertaining to Him; and the message which is Him) in Its (or: His; or: their) own seasons, fitting situations and fertile moments within (or: in the midst of) a proclamation by a herald – which I, myself, was made to trust and believe – down from, in accord with and corresponding to a full arrangement (or: a setting-upon; a complete disposition; a precise placing in order; an injunction) of and from God, our Savior (Deliverer; Rescuer; Restorer to health, wholeness and our original condition). ⁴ To Titus, a genuine born-one (legitimate child [one born in wedlock]) down from and corresponding to a common and partnered (equally owned, shared and participated-in) faith, trust and loyalty: Grace (or: Favor), and peace [= shalom; A, C2 & others: mercy; compassion], [are; continue coming] from Father God (or: God [the] Father) – even Christ Jesus, our Deliverer (or: and [the] Anointed Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer and Restorer to health, wholeness and our original condition; as well as from [the Messiah], Jesus, our Safe-keeper). ⁵ From the source of, and because of, this grace and favor, I left [other MSS: was leaving] you off in Crete, so that you, yourself, could correct and amend – so as to be fully straight throughout the midst – the things habitually lacking, leaving defects or remaining undone, and [so] you, yourself, could thoroughly establish [the] older folks (or: correspondingly make [the] elders to stand fast and be firm), city by city, as I, myself, made thorough arrangements for you. ⁶ [Now] if anyone is normally not one being called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= habitually exists being one free from reproach); [is] a husband of one woman (or: wife), having trusting and believing children (or: born-ones that are full of faith); [is] not one in the midst of a [legal] charge (or: an accusation; being considered in a category) of being a person without healthful wholeness (or: of being unwholesome; being in a desperate case without hope of safety; being prodigal; being wasteful; being on an unsaved course; being incorrigible; being dissolute and debauched) nor [of] insubordinate [qualities] (things not put in submission; things not placed under the arrangement; un-subjected and unruly [traits])

⁸ But to the contrary, [he should be] fond of strangers (have affection for foreigners; be hospitable), [be] fond of the good and have affection for virtue and excellence, [be] whole, healthy and liberated (sound) in frame of mind and disposition ([be] sane), [be] fair and equitable, and in rightwised relationships within the Way pointed out, [be] loyal, dutiful and pure from all crime, [produce] inner strength ([be] self-controlled), ⁹ habitually holding himself firmly to (or: clinging face-to-face to) the full-of-faith Word (message; thought; idea; Logos; or: the faithful word) – down from, corresponding to and in line with the Teaching and training – to the end that he can be powerful and able both to be constantly encouraging (habitually performing as a paraclete; repeatedly exhorting; continually calling folks alongside to give them assistance or relief) in the teaching that continues being sound and healthy, and to repeatedly put to the proof so as to convince by demonstration, or to refute by exposure of the test, the folks habitually speaking in opposition and contradicting. ¹⁰ You see, many folks, especially those from out of the Circumcision (= the Jews), are (constantly exist being) insubordinate ones (not submitted to the arrangement; un-subjected to the order), empty, vain and profitless talkers, even seducers of the intellect (deceivers of the mind; people who mislead thinking), ¹¹ who it continues necessary to repeatedly muzzle (gag; put something upon their mouth; or: reign them in), who are habitually turning-back whole households [i.e., into the Law cultus of Judaism] (or: = constantly upsetting entire families), repeatedly teaching things which it is binding to not [teach]: a “grace” of ugly (deformed; disgraceful) profit, gain or advantage!

⁷ – for you see, it continues binding and necessary for the person who sets his eyes upon the distant goal, having a full-scope view, and successfully hits the target (or: the one who surveys, inspects and watches upon; the scout; the tender guardian who oversees with attentive care) to continue being one [that is] not normally called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= to habitually exist being one free from reproach). As God's house administrator (house manager; house dispenser and distributor; estate steward), [he should] not [be] one who pleases himself (or: gives himself to pleasure): not impulsive (prone to passion, irritation or anger; not ruled by his own mental bent, disposition or propensities; not one teeming with internal swelling or motion), not addicted to wine (or: beside himself with wine; = not a drunk), not quarrelsome and apt to strike another, not one eager for dishonorable, deformed or ugly gain.

¹² A certain one of them, their own prophet (= poet), said, "Cretans [are] always (or: ever) liars, worthless little wild animals (little beasts of bad quality), inactive and idle bellies (= unemployed gluttons)." ¹³ This witness (or: testimony [of the poet Epimenides]) is true (genuine; real). Because of which case and cause, be repeatedly cross-examining them abruptly while cutting away [at the case] and bringing the question to the proof, so as to test and decide the dispute and expose the matter – to the end that they can be sound and healthy within the Faith and in union with trust and loyalty, ¹⁴ not habitually holding to (having [a propensity] toward; heeding and clinging in the direction toward) Jewish myths (or: fictions; or, possibly: oral traditions) and to implanted goals (impartations of a finished product within; inward directives; commands) whose source and origin is people (or: human commandments) [thus] continually being twisted and turned away from the Truth (or: reality). ¹⁵ To the pure folks, everything [is] pure (or: All things [are] clean for, with and in the clean ones). Yet to (or: for; in; with) those having been stained and remaining defiled (corrupted; polluted), and to (or: for; in) faithless people (those without trust; unbelieving ones), nothing is pure or clean – but rather, their mind, as well as the conscience, has been – and now remains – stained, defiled and corrupted. ¹⁶ They are repeatedly adopting the same terms of language, and habitually making confession and avowing to have perceived and now know God, yet they are constantly denying (repudiating; disowning; refusing) [this] by the works (in the actions and things done), continuing being detestable (abominable), incompliant (stubborn; disobedient; unpersuasive) and disqualified (disapproved; rejected after trial) with a view toward every good work (excellent and virtuous activity).

¹ Later it occurred that He Himself then began making His way through city by city and village by village, in consecutive order, repeatedly making public proclamation as a herald, and constantly bringing and declaring God's sovereign reign (or: kingdom; the influence and activity of the ruling which is God) as good news of ease and well-being – and together with Him, the twelve, ² as well as certain women who were ones having been treated, cured or restored from bad attitudes (worthless breath-effects; malicious spirits) and weaknesses (or: illnesses): Mary, the one normally being called Magdalene – from whom seven demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) had gone out (had departed), ³ then Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's man in charge (or: manager; steward; financial secretary), and Susanna, as well as many different women, who continued giving attending and supportive service to them [i.e., to Jesus and His comrades] – from out of their personal possessions and resources. ⁴ Now with a large crowd being gathered together, and with the people keeping on making their way to Him from town after town, He spoke through an illustration (parable): ⁵ "The sower (= the farmer; the one normally scattering seed) went out to sow his seed, and during the process of his sowing, one [handful] actually fell along the path (or: beside the road), and then the birds of the sky (or: atmosphere; heaven) ate it down (or: devoured it). ⁶ "Also, a different [handful] fell down upon the rock mass, and later, having been sprouted and caused to grow, it was dried out and caused to wither, because it was not having moisture. ⁷ "Then a different [handful] fell within the midst of the thorns, thistles and prickly weeds, then, after their being made to grow up together, the thorny plants choked it off. ⁸ "Still a different [handful] fell into the good soil, and later, having been sprouted and caused to grow, it produced a hundred times as much fruit as had been sown." Concluding saying these things, He then call out (or: shouts), "Let the person presently having ears to be now listening and hearing, continue to listen and hear!" ⁹ Now His disciples began enquiring of Him what this illustration (parable) might be (= might mean). ¹⁰ So He said, "To (or: For; With; In; Among) you folks it has been given (or: granted; gifted) to intimately know from experience the secrets (or: mysteries) of (or: pertaining to; whose source is; or: which are) God's reign (or: kingdom; sovereign influence and activity). Yet to (for; in; among) the rest (the remaining folks) [it is given] in illustrations (parables; things cast alongside for comparison), to the end that, ‘while constantly looking, they can not (or: may not; would not) be presently seeing, and while repeatedly listening, they can (or: could; should; would) not make things flow together so as to understand (comprehend; = get the meaning).’ [Isa. 6:9] ¹¹ "Now the illustration is this (or: the parable means this): The seed sown is God's Word (Logos; Thought; Idea; Reason; laid-out communication; message). ¹² "Yet those beside the path (road; way) are the folks [who] upon hearing [have] the adversary (the one thrusting something through folks) repeatedly coming, and it (or: he) is constantly (or: habitually) picking up and removing the Word (thought; message) from their hearts – to the end that they would not be delivered (rescued; made healthy and whole; saved), upon trusting and believing. ¹³ "Now those upon the rock-mass [are] those who – whenever they should hear – continue welcoming and receiving the Word (thought; idea; message) with joy. And yet, these do not continue having a root. They are folks who continue trusting and believing for a season, and then, during a season (or: within a situation) of testing and trial, they progressively stand off and position themselves away, continuing to withdraw. ¹⁴ "And now the ones falling into the midst of thorns: these are the folks [that] are at one point listening and hearing. And then, under anxieties (cares; worries; concerns) and by wealth and through pleasures (enjoyments; gratifications) of life (= the daily functions of living and making a living, and the things that crowd our lives), continuing in going their way, they are being progressively choked together and stifled – and then they are not continuing on to the goal of bearing mature fruit (or: are not progressing to bear the finished product). ¹⁵ "But the one within the ideal soil – these are those folks who, at one point listening to and hearing the Word (the thought; the idea; the message; the Logos) within an ideal (beautiful) and good (virtuous) heart, continue holding [it] down within and retaining [it] – and so they continue bearing fruit (producing a harvest) within the midst of a remaining-under, and in union with endurance (or: in union with a persistent endurance which remains under [the task or burden]). ¹⁶ "Now no one, after lighting a lamp, is in the habit of covering it with a pot (or: in a vessel; by an instrument or utensil), or normally puts [it] down under a bed or underneath a couch; but to the contrary, he is normally putting [it] upon a lampstand, so that the folks progressively coming into the midst can continue seeing (observing; casting a look at) the light. ¹⁷ "For, you see, nothing continues being a hidden thing (or: there is nothing hidden) which will not proceed in coming to be visible and something seen in clear light. Neither [is there] something hidden away (or: concealed) which can (or: should) not at some point by all means be intimately and experientially known (or: made known), and can (or: should) come into a [situation that is] visible, apparent and seen in clear light. ¹⁸ "Therefore, keep on looking at and noticing how you folks continue hearing (or: are habitually listening). You see, whoever can continue possessing (or: should habitually have and hold), to him it (or: He) will continue being given; and whoever can not continue possessing (or: should not habitually have and hold), even that which he constantly imagines (thinks; supposes; presumes; or: seems; appears; or: is supposed) to continue possessing will be progressively picked up and taken from him." ¹⁹ Now at one point His mother and brothers came along toward Him, and yet were unable to attain their aim to fall in with and meet with Him – because of the crowd. ²⁰ So it was reported back to Him, "Your mother and brothers have been standing – and yet stand – outside, desiring (wanting; intending) to see You." ²¹ Yet, making a decided reply, He says to them, "My mother and brothers are now these folks – the people habitually listening to and hearing [implying: obeying] God's Word (or: the Logos of God; God's Idea and message) and then are doing (performing) [it]." ²² Now it occurred on one of those days, [that] He, as well as His disciples, stepped into a sailing vessel (ship; boat; bark) and He said to them, "Let us pass through (= cross) unto the other side of the lake." ²³ Then they were led up [upon the water] (= they shoved off), yet [after a time], during their sailing, He fell asleep. Then a furious, violent windstorm (squall; whirlwind; hurricane) suddenly descended into the lake, and they began being completely filled (swamped) with [water] and continued to be in danger. ²⁴ So then, after approaching, they got Him fully awake, repeatedly saying, "Captain (or: Commander; Chief; = Boss; perhaps: Instructor), we are progressively losing ourselves (or: we, ourselves, are presently perishing)!" Now He, having been fully aroused, gave a respectful directive to the wind and to the violent surging of the water – and it came to be calm (or: a stillness was birthed on the surface of the water). ²⁵ And so He said to them, "Where [is] your confidence, trust and faith?" Now, having been caused to fear (or: being afraid), they marveled with amazement, in turn saying to one another, "Who really is this Man, that to even the winds and to the water He now applies directives (or: gives orders and adds arrangements)? – and in submissive hearing they continue giving obedience to Him!" ²⁶ Then they sailed down into the region of the Gerasenes [other MSS: Gergesenes] which is across on the side opposite the Galilee [district]. ²⁷ But at His going out on the shore (or: land), a certain adult man from out of the town met up with Him – one continuously possessing (having and holding) demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences). Now for a considerable period of time he did not clothe himself with a cloak (outer garment; perhaps = clothing in general) and by habit he was not staying (remaining) in a house, but rather, among the memorial tombs, instead. ²⁸ Now, upon seeing Jesus and uttering up a cry (or: crying aloud; screaming), he fell toward Him. And then in a loud voice he said, "What [is there] for me and for You (or: What [is the connection] to me, and in You; may = What do want with me), Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg (or: urgently request) You... You should not test my qualities or cause me pain or distress!" ²⁹ You see, He began passing on an announcement and continued giving instruction to the unclean breath-effect (spirit; attitude; state of mind) to at once come out of the man. For many times it had seized and violently gripped him together (= took control of him), and he was from time to time being bound with and confined by chains and shackles (ankle fetters), being repeatedly guarded (or: kept in protective custody). And yet, repeatedly breaking the bonds in two, he kept on being driven (or: urged forward; impelled) away, from [other MSS: by; under] the demon (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence; = an influence that was not part of him), into the uninhabited places (wilderness areas; desert regions; lonely places). ³⁰ So Jesus asked him, "What is [the] name for you?" Now the man said, "Legion (or: An Army)," because many demons (= influences) at some point entered into him. ³¹ Then they began calling Him alongside for aid and assistance, entreating Him to the end that He would (might) not add directives and apply arrangements for (or: give orders to) them to go off into the Deep (the Abyss). ³² Now there was a considerable herd of pigs (hogs) being grazed (pastured) there, within the hill country (or: on the mountain), and so they entreated Him for assistance, to the end that He would proceed to allow (or: progressively permit) them to enter into those [pigs]. Then He gave permission to them. ³³ So the demons (= influences), after going out from the man, entered into the pigs. Next, the herd stampeded (rushed headlong) down the precipice (cliff; steep bank) into the lake – and it was choked, so as to drown. ³⁴ Now the herdsmen, upon seeing what had happened, fled and reported back unto the town and into the fields (= countryside). ³⁵ So people came out to see what had happened, and thus they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons (= influences) went out clothed with a cloak (or: outer garments) as well as sane and continuing in a sound and healthy frame of mind, remaining sitting beside the feet of Jesus – and they were made to fear (or: were afraid). ³⁶ Then the folks having seen [it] explained to them the report of how the person being affected by demons (= influences) was made whole and restored to health (rescued; delivered; saved). ³⁷ As a result, the whole fullness (= the entire populace) of the territory (or: region) surrounding Gerasenes [other MSS: Gergesenes] asked Him to go (or: get) away from them – because they began being constrained and hemmed in with a joint-possession, pressing them together by and in a great fear. ³⁸ So He Himself, upon stepping into [the] sailing vessel, turned away. But the adult man – from whom the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) had gone out – began begging and kept on asking to continue being together with Him. Yet He dismissed him (loosed him away), while saying, ³⁹ "Proceed returning unto your house (or: into your household), and then make it a habit to fully relate and describe as many things as God did to, in and for you." And so he went off, down through the whole town, repeatedly making a public proclamation – as a herald – of as many things as Jesus did to, in and for him. ⁴⁰ Now it happened in the midst of the occurrence for Jesus to progress in returning, the crowd welcomed and favorably received Him – for you see, they were all expecting Him. ⁴¹ Then – look, and consider! – an adult man whose name [was] Jairus – and this man existed being a leader (or: ruler; presiding official) of the synagogue – came, and upon falling beside the feet of Jesus, began calling Him to his side for help, continuing to entreat Him to [come and] enter into his house, ⁴² because there was with and for him an only-daughter – about twelve years old – and she, herself, was progressively dying off. Now during the [situation for] Him to be progressively leading the way and bring things under control, the crowd continued crowding together around Him to the point of almost overwhelming and suffocating – as it were, strangling – Him. ⁴³ At the same time (or: In this situation), [there was] a woman who – being continuously in a [condition of] a flowing issue of blood (a hemorrhage) for twelve years [and] one who was spending [her] whole livelihood on physicians – had no strength... [able] to be cured [by] no one. ⁴⁴ Approaching from behind, she at one point touched the border (or: edge; hem; fringe; tassel) of His outer garment (or: cloak) – and the flowing issue of her blood (her hemorrhage) instantly stopped and stood firm at the side of usefulness. ⁴⁵ Then Jesus said, "Who [is] the person touching Me?" Yet with the continued denying from everyone, Peter and those together with him said, "Master (or: Commander; Chief; = Boss; perhaps: Instructor), the crowds are continuously pressing together on You, hemming You in, and are constantly rubbing closely together, and You are saying, 'Who [is] the person touching Me?'" ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, "Someone touched Me, for I Myself know by personal experience [that] power has gone out from Me." ⁴⁷ Now the woman, upon seeing that she had not escaped notice, came trembling. And then, falling down toward Him (or: prostrating to Him) gave a report in the sight of all the people, explaining through what cause and reason she had touched Him, and so was instantly healed to the side of usefulness (or: for useful [service]). ⁴⁸ So He said to her, "Daughter, your trust and faith healed, delivered and restored you to health and wholeness (saved and rescued you). Continue traveling your journey into peace [= shalom]." ⁴⁹ While He is still speaking, a certain associate of the synagogue leader is presently coming, then is saying, "Your daughter has died. Do not any longer continue bothering the teacher." ⁵⁰ Yet Jesus, at hearing [this], gave a decided response to him, "Stop (or: Do not continue) fearing, only trust and experience faith (or: believe), and she will proceed in being restored to health and wholeness (be rescued and saved)." ⁵¹ Now upon coming unto the house, He allowed no one to enter with Him, except Peter, John and Jacob (James) – as well as the father and mother of the girl. ⁵² But all the people kept on weeping (crying and lamenting) and continued grieving, repeatedly beating their breasts, for her. So [pausing], He said, "Stop crying (or: Do not continue weeping and lamenting), for you see, she did not die off, but to the contrary, she continues fast asleep." ⁵³ And so they began ridiculing and laughing Him down with mocking – having seen, and thus knowing, that she died off. ⁵⁴ So He Himself, after casting everyone outside and then strongly taking hold of her hand, calls out loudly (shouts; voices in exclamation) by saying, "Young girl, be waking up and proceed arising [other MSS: rouse yourself and get up]!" ⁵⁵ And then her spirit (breath-effect; or: the result of her breathing) returns (turned around upon [her]) at once, and she instantly stood up for useful [service] (or: at the side of usefulness), so He gave directions and made thorough arrangements for her to at once be given [something] to eat. ⁵⁶ And so her parents "stood out of themselves" in amazement and ecstasy. But He gave instructions to them to tell to no one the [incident] having been birthed (or: having happened and coming to exist).

⁶ Now this [is the reality]: the person who is habitually sowing sparingly (in a limited way) will also continue reaping (or: harvesting) sparingly; and the person who is habitually sowing on [the basis of] good thoughts and words (or: with or for added blessings; or: bountifully; with things well and fully laid out and arranged for ease) will also continue reaping upon [those] good thoughts and words (or: with added blessings; or: bountifully; with things well laid out and arranged for added ease) –

²² Having purified your souls (= inner selves) within the hearing obedience (the humble, attentive listening and submissive hearing) of the Truth and from Reality [which directs and leads] into unhypocritical (non-hypercritical; non-hyper-separating so as to over-evaluate; not determined from below; non-nit-picky; or: unpretended; unfeigned; thus: genuine) brotherly affection (= fondness for the fellow believers), love one another with acceptance in a stretched-out and extended way, from out of a clean [other MSS: true; genuine] heart, ²³ being folks having been born again (been regenerated; been given birth back up again), not from out of a corruptible (or: perishable) seed that was sown, but rather from an incorruptible (imperishable; undecayable) one: through God's continually living and permanently remaining Word (or: through a message or expressed thought of [the] continuously living and constantly abiding God; or: through means of a living and dwelling Thought, Idea and Logically laid out Expression and Communication, which is God), ²⁴ because, "All flesh [is] like grass (or: vegetation), and all its glory [is] like a flower of grass (of vegetation): the grass is caused to dry out and wither, and the flower falls off... ²⁵ "yet the gush-effect of the Lord (result of what flowed from [Yahweh]; saying, declaration or thing spoken concerning the Lord) is constantly abiding (continuously remaining), on into The Age (or: the era [of the Messiah])." [Isa. 40:6-8] Now this continues being "the saying" (the declaration; the gush-effect) being announced as well-being and goodness to you folks (or: And this is the thing, and the result of the flow, being spoken into you in the good news).

²⁰ So Jesus proceeds saying to them, "Because of your little trust and small faith-confidence. For truly (amen) I am now saying to you men, if you can progressively hold trust, and habitually have faith – as a mustard seed (grain of mustard), you folks will say to this mountain, 'Move at once, from this place [to over] there! (= Change locations!),' and it will be transferring (moving). And so, nothing will continue being impossible for (or: to; in; with) you men."

⁸ because the person continually sowing into the flesh of himself (= his estranged inner being), will progressively reap corruption (spoil; ruin; decay) forth from out of the flesh (= the estranged inner being); (or: the one habitually sowing into the flesh [system], of himself will continue to reap decay from out of the flesh [system];) yet the one constantly sowing into the spirit (or: the Breath) will be progressively reaping eonian life (life having the characteristics of the Age [of Messiah]; or: life from the Age that lasts on through the ages) forth from out of the spirit (or: the Spirit; the Breath; the attitude).

³⁶ You idiot! (or: You senseless and stupid fellow!) What you are habitually sowing is not being progressively brought to life unless it should die off. [comment: thus death is the path toward resurrection] ³⁷ And further, that which you continue sowing: you folks are not progressively sowing the body [= the organism] which shall be coming into being (or: that will be developing), but rather, a naked seed (a bare kernel, or grain without clothing), whether it may hit the target of wheat (= perchance of wheat), or any one of the rest [of the grains]. ³⁸ Yet God habitually gives a body to (or: for) it, according as He wills (intends; purposed), and to (or: for; with) each of the seeds its own body.

³⁸ Yet God habitually gives a body to (or: for) it, according as He wills (intends; purposed), and to (or: for; with) each of the seeds its own body.

¹ On that day (= That same day), after coming out of the house, Jesus had spent some time sitting on the shore, beside the lake (or: sea). ² And so great was the concourse of people that were gathered together toward Him, that He was stepping into a small boat to continue sitting down – and the entire crowd stood on the beach. ³ And so he spoke many things to them, continuing in gathering thoughts and laying them in order, in parables (things cast down at the side for comparison; illustrations; [note: used for Hebrew masal in the LXX, so = a variety of figures of speech: riddle; proverb; ethical maxim; by-word; allegory; fable; enigmatic saying that is meant to stimulate intense thinking): ⁴ "Look and consider! The sower comes out (or: went out) to be progressively sowing (scattering seed [in a field]). Now in the midst of his continued sowing, some [seeds] on the one hand fell alongside the path – and with the birds coming, they ate them down (devoured them). ⁵ On the other hand, other [seeds] fell upon the rocky places (or: shallow soil where layers of rock lie near the surface), where it continues having not much soil, and immediately it shoots forth again, back up – because of the [situation of] not having a depth of soil. ⁶ Yet upon a rising back up again of [the] sun, it was scorched – and thus, because of the [situation of] not having [sufficient] root, it was dried up and withered. ⁷ Now others fell upon the thornbushes (or: prickly weeds), and the thornbushes came up and choked them off (smothered them). ⁸ But others fell upon the ideal soil, and it began and kept on yielding fruit – this one, on the one hand, a hundred; that one, on the other hand, sixty; yet some, thirty. ⁹ Let the person possessing ears continue listening, hearing and paying attention." ¹⁰ Then, approaching, the disciples said to Him, "Why (Through what [purpose; motive]) are you continuing to speak to them in parables (here: = illustrative riddles; = Hebrew masal)?" ¹¹ So giving a decided response, He said to them, "To (or: For; With) you folks it has been given to intimately experience and insightfully know the secrets (mysteries) of the reign of the heavens (or: the kingdom which is the heavens; the royal rule which pertains to and has its origin in the heavens, and which emanates from the atmospheres), yet it has not been given to those people. ¹² "You see, whoever continues possessing (presently and habitually holds [understanding]; repeatedly has [something]), to him it (or: something; or: [understanding]) will continue being given and he will habitually be made to superabound (or: have more than enough); yet whoever does not continue possessing (habitually holding; repeatedly having), even what he does have will be progressively taken away from him. ¹³ "Therefore I continue speaking in parables (with illustrations) to them, because while seeing (or: observing) they continue not seeing, and during listening (or: hearing) they are not hearing (or: listening) – neither are they comprehending or understanding (having things flow together so as to get the picture or see the relationships). ¹⁴ "And so the prophecy of Isaiah is progressively being filled up in (or: for; by) them – the one continuing in saying, 'In listening you folks will keep on hearing, and yet you can by no means have things flow together so as to get the picture or see the relationships (or: comprehend or understand), and while constantly looking, you will continue observing, and yet you can by no means see so as to perceive. ¹⁵ 'For the heart of this people was made thick and fat, and thus has become impervious, dull and insensitive, and with the ears they hear heavily, and are thus hard of hearing, and they shut (or: closed) their eyes (or: they squint their eyes), lest at some time they might see with [their] eyes and should then be listening and hearing with [their] ears, and with the heart they could make things flow together so as to comprehend – and they might turn about! And so, I will progressively cure and heal them!' [Isa. 6:9-10] (or: ... and they squint their eyes! At some point should they not see with [their] eyes, and continue listening so as to hear with [their] ears, and thus understand in the heart? And then they can turn around, and I will continue healing them!') ¹⁶ "However, your eyes [are] happy (blessed and prosperous, and thus, privileged), because they continue seeing – as well as your ears, for they are presently and habitually hearing. ¹⁷ "You see I am now telling you frankly and truly that many prophets and rightwised folks (fair and just people) passionately desired to see [the] things which you folks are now habitually seeing (or: looking at) – and yet they did not see; and to hear things which you are continuously hearing – and yet they did not hear. ¹⁸ "Therefore, you folks listen to, and be hearing, the parable (illustration cast by your side) of the sower (or: the scattering of seed). ¹⁹ "Concerning everyone constantly listening to and hearing the Word of the sovereign reign and activities (or: the thought, idea and message of the kingdom) and yet continuing in not understanding (being unable to have things flow together unto comprehension): the worthless person or the disadvantageous circumstance (or: the one who brings pain and misery through hard labor; the malevolent and wicked man; the evil one; or: the difficult and wearisome situation) is repeatedly coming and is habitually snatching up what has been sown (scattered as seed) within his heart – this is the one sown alongside the path or road. ²⁰ "Now [as to] the one being sown (scattered) upon the rocky places, this one is the person continuing in hearing the Word (thought; idea; message), and at once progressively receiving it with joy! ²¹ "However, he is not continuing to have a root within himself, but is instead existing for [only] a season (is temporary, or lasts only for that particular situation or occasion), so with an occurring (happening; birthing) of pressure (tribulation; distress) or pursuit and persecution – because of the message (the Word; the idea) – he is at once caught in a trap, as though these circumstances were a trap-stick, and so he is made to stumble, being offended. ²² "Now [as to] the one being sown (scattered) into the midst of the thorns, this one is the person continuing in hearing the Word (message; thought; idea), and yet the anxiety (care; worry; concern; distraction) of the age [other MSS: this age], and the seductiveness and deception of the riches and wealth [involved], together progressively choke the Word (or: message) and it (or: he) progresses to become unfruitful. ²³ "As for the one sown (scattered) upon the ideal soil (earth), this is the person continuing in hearing the Word (or: message; idea) and progressively allowing things to flow together unto comprehension and understanding – who in reality does progressively bear fruit, and is continuing producing: this one, on the one hand, a hundred, that one, on the other hand, sixty, yet another one thirty [times what was sown]." ²⁴ He placed (or: put; set) another parable (illustration) beside [the previous one] for them, proceeding in saying, "The reign and sovereignty activities of the heavens (or: kingdom of the atmospheres) is likened and compared to a person (human) sowing (scattering) fine, ideal seed within his field. ²⁵ "Now during the continued sleeping of the people, his enemy (the one hostile to him) came and oversowed weed seeds (scattered-on darnel [= a wild grass, or, bastard wheat]; i.e., plants that would compete with the main crop, and that would cause extra work at harvest time) again, through the midst of the wheat (or: grain), and then went away. ²⁶ "So when the blade sprouted and put forth leaves, and then produced fruit (a crop), at that time the weeds (darnel: indistinguishable from wheat stalks until close to harvest time) also became apparent (visible and evident). ²⁷ "And so the slaves, upon approaching the householder, said to him, 'Master (Lord; Sir), did you not sow fine, ideal seed within your field? From where, then, is it now having weeds (darnel)?' ²⁸ "So the man affirmed to them, 'A human – an enemy – did this!' Now they continue in saying to him, 'Are you now, therefore, desiring [that] we, upon going off, should gather them [i.e., the weeds] together (= cull them out)?' ²⁹ "But he affirms, 'No, otherwise (or: lest at some point) during collecting together the weeds you men might at the same time uproot the wheat (or: grain) along with them. ³⁰ 'Allow (or: Leave) both to continue growing side by side until the harvest, and within the season of the harvest I will proceed to be telling the reapers, First gather the weeds together and bind them into bundles for the purpose of burning them down. But progressively gather the wheat (or: grain) into my barn (storehouse).'" ³¹ He placed (or: put; set) another parable (illustration) beside [the previous one] for them, proceeding in saying, "The reign and sovereignty of the heavens (or: kingdom of the sky and atmosphere) exists being (or: is) like seed of a mustard plant – which, upon taking, a man (a person) sowed within his field – ³² "which on the one hand is smaller than all the seeds, yet on the other hand, whenever it might grow, is greater than the vegetables (= is the largest of the garden plants and herbs) and progressively comes to be a [veritable] tree [in size and form], so that the birds of the sky (or: atmosphere) come and periodically roost within its branches." ³³ He spoke another parable (illustration) to them: "The reign (kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (is) like leaven (or: yeast) which a woman, upon getting (taking; receiving) [it], hides within (= mixes in) three large measures (1.5 pecks, or 12 quarts, per measure) of wheat flour, or meal, until [the] whole [batch] is leavened to thus be fermented, risen [and teeming with life]!" ³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds, and apart from parables He was, and continued, speaking nothing to them, ³⁵ so that the [prophecy; oracle] being declared through the prophet would (or: could) be fulfilled, [which] continues saying, "I will repeatedly open My mouth in parables (illustrations); I will constantly disgorge and spew out things having been hidden from [the; a] casting-down (a laying of a foundation; or, metaphorically: a conception [as used in Heb. 11:11, "a casting-down of seed"]) [other MSS add: of {the} organized System (or: world; cosmos; universe; or: the world of culture and religion)]." [Ps. 78:2] ³⁶ At that time, after leaving the crowds, He went into the house. And then His disciples approached Him, one after another saying, "Make the parable (illustration) of the weeds (darnel) of the field thoroughly clear and distinct for (or: to) us (= explain it so that we can plainly understand it)." ³⁷ So He, setting forth a reply giving discernment, said, "The person habitually sowing the fine, ideal seed is the Son of the Man (or: mankind's son; = the son of Adam; = the human).

³⁹ "And now the enemy (the hostile person) – the person sowing them – is the adversary (the person who will thrust something through you; or: the "devil"). And then [the] harvest is [the] bringing of the parts together to one destined end (or: a combined final act; a purposed consummation; a putting together of the final product; a joining of all aspects into the fruition of the goal) of an age, but the harvesters (reapers) are agents (messengers; folks with the message). ⁴⁰ "Therefore, just as the weeds (darnel) are periodically collected together and are normally burned down (or: up) in a fire, thus will it be within the conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one end and goal) of the age [other MSS: this age]. ⁴¹ "The Son of the Man will progressively send off His agents (messengers; folks with the message) as emissaries, and they will continue gathering together out of His kingdom (collect and cull out of His reign) all the snares and things which entrap, as well as the folks habitually producing (or: doing; constructing; practicing; creating) the lawlessness.

³⁸ "Now the field is the organized System (the ordered arrangement; the world; the world of religion as well as of economy, culture and government in the secular; = the realm of society). As for the fine, ideal seed, these are the sons of the reign (= the produce and resulting situation which have the kingdom as their source and origin; the offspring who are the reign; = those things having the character and quality of the kingdom and are associated with its reign). Yet the weeds (darnel) are the sons of the worthless person or the disadvantageous circumstance (or: the sons whose source and origin is the one who brings pain and misery through hard labor; the produce whose character and quality are malevolent and wicked; the sons of the evil one; or: offspring of the difficult and wearisome situation [the predicament of mankind?]; the bad environment; may = the result of the work of a worthless person [perhaps: the words of a religious person]).

⁴² "Next they will continue throwing them into the furnace (oven; kiln) of The Fire [note: a figure of being dealt with in, and by, God]: 'the weeping (crying and lamentation) and the grinding of teeth' will continue being in that situation (or: place). ⁴³ "At that time, the fair and equitable folks – who live in the pointed-out Way of right relationships, rightwised behavior and justice – will be progressively giving out light, as from lamps (or: will shine forth from out of the midst), in the same way as the sun, in union with the reign, and within the kingdom, of their Father. Let the person having ears to hear continue listening and be constantly hearing! ⁴⁴ "The reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a treasure – having been hidden (or: being concealed) within the midst of a field – which, upon finding, a person hid (concealed) [again] and then, from the joy he has, he proceeds leaving [it] and one after another sells as many things as he is then possessing and is proceeding in purchasing that field. ⁴⁵ "Again, the reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a human being – a traveling business man (or: merchant), constantly trying to find beautiful, ideal pearls. ⁴⁶ "Now upon finding one very valuable pearl, after at once going away, he has exported for sale and disposed of everything – as much as he was holding (possessing) – and he buys it at the market place. ⁴⁷ "Again, the reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a dragnet (a seine) being cast into the lake (or: sea) and gathering together [some] of every species [of marine life, into the net], ⁴⁸ "from which – when it was filled up, after hauling it up upon the beach and sitting down – they gathered together the ideal ones into containers (buckets, crocks or baskets). Yet the decayed and rotten ones they threw outside. ⁴⁹ "It will be the same way within the destined conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one purposed end and goal) of the (or: = this) age: the agents (messengers) will be constantly going forth and will be progressively marking off boundaries for (limiting off, thus separating) the worthless and disadvantageous folks or circumstances (those people or situations who/which bring pain and misery through hard works; the wicked people or evil conditions) from out of the midst of the fair and equitable folks or situations (those having been placed within the Way of right relationships, rightwised behavior and justice) ⁵⁰ "and then will continue casting them into the furnace (oven; kiln) of The Fire [= God's dealings]: the weeping (crying and lamentation) and the grinding of teeth' will continue being in that situation or place. ⁵¹ "Do you folks understand all these things? Were you able to make them all flow together?" They were then saying to Him, "Yes." ⁵² So He said to them, "Therefore (or: That being the situation; For this reason), every scribe (well-trained writer, translator or scholar; or: theologian; expert and instructor in the Law), being one taught, schooled and made a disciple by the reign from the atmospheres (or: in the kingdom of the heavens) exists being (or: is) like a person (a human) – a householder (an owner of a home) – who is habitually extracting and spurting out from the midst of his store of treasures things fresh and new in character and quality, as well as old, well-worn and even obsolete." ⁵³ And then it happened (occurred), when Jesus finished these parables (illustrations), [that] He went across country (transferred Himself) from that place. ⁵⁴ So later, upon coming into His fatherland (= His native land and home territory), He began, and continued, teaching them within their synagogue, with the result for them to be constantly moved from out of their positions and be overwhelmed with astonishment, even to be periodically saying, "From where [comes] this wisdom and the expressions (demonstrations; effects; works) of power and ability by (or: in; to; for) this person? ⁵⁵ "Is this man not the builder's (carpenter's; skilled craftsman's; journeyman's) son? Is not his mother the one normally being called Mary (or: Miriam) – and his brothers Jacob (James), Joseph, Simon and Judah (or: Judas)? ⁵⁶ "And are not his sisters with us? From where, then, [come] all these things to (or: in; by) this person?" ⁵⁷ And thus, they continued being stumbled and entrapped by this trap-stick (snare) in Him. So Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not un-honored or without value, except in the midst of his own fatherland (home territory) and within his own household." ⁵⁸ And therefore He did not do (or: perform) many demonstrations (exhibitions; works; effects) of power in that place – through their lack of trust and absence of faith and confidence.