"This is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God.

He used parables to tell them many things. "Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.

As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

"Listen, then, and learn what the parable of the sower means.

Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them.

Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field.

When the plants grew and the heads of grain began to form, then the weeds showed up.

He used parables to teach them many things, saying to them:

As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Jesus went on to say, "The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field.

The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain.

The seeds that fell along the path stand for those who hear; but the Devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts in order to keep them from believing and being saved.

That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away.

If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are.

They take a good look at themselves and then go away and at once forget what they look like.

You reject everyone who disobeys your laws; their deceitful schemes are useless.

"You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

Vultures came down on the bodies, but Abram drove them off.