On that day Jesus went forth from the house and sat down by the sea. And there were gathered together to Him great multitudes from every city, so that He entered into a boat and sat down; and all the multitude stood on the beach beside the sea. And He taught them many things in parables, and said to them in His teaching:

"Hearken: behold, the sower went forth to sow his seed. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside and were trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven came and devoured them. And others fell on the rocky places where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth; and as soon as they grew up, and the sun arose, they were scorched; and because they had no root nor moisture, they withered away. And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns growing up with them choked them and they yielded no fruit. But others fell upon the good ground, and growing up and increasing, brought forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some a hundredfold." As He said these things, He cried, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."