Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.

And when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

But Saul said, Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today Jehovah has worked deliverance in Israel.

And all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before Jehovah in Gilgal. There they slaughtered sacrifices of peace offerings before Jehovah, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Joash did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the offering of Moses the servant of Jehovah and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of witness?

When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; they made from it vessels for the house of Jehovah, utensils for serving and offering, spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada.

When He killed them, then they sought after Him; and they returned and sought earnestly for the Mighty God.

Nevertheless they deceived Him with their mouths, and they lied to Him with their tongues;

Then they believed His Words; they sang His praise.

They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel,

Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in drawing near to God.

So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they act out love, but their hearts go after their unjust gain.

Indeed you are to them as a singer of love songs, as one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the Word, immediately receive it with joy;

and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately they stumble.

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was immersed he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the works of power and signs which were done.

And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.