THE EVIL ONE SNATCHES FAITH AWAY

19 WHEN ANYONE HEARS THE MESSAGE ABOUT THE KINGDOM

AND DOES NOT UNDERSTAND IT,

THE EVIL ONE COMES AND SNATCHES AWAY

WHAT WAS SOWN IN HIS HEART.

THIS IS THE SEED SOWN ALONG THE PATH.

20 WHAT WAS SOWN ON ROCKY PLACES

IS THE MAN WHO HEARS THE WORD

AND AT ONCE RECEIVES IT WITH JOY.

21 BUT SINCE HE HAS NO ROOT,

HE LAST ONLY A SHORT TIME.

WHEN TROUBLE OR PERSECUTION COMES

BECAUSE OF THE WORD,

HE QUICKLY FALLS AWAY.

22 WHAT WAS SOWN AMONG THE THORNS

IS THE MAN WHO HEARS THE WORD,

BUT THE WORRIES OF THIS LIFE

AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF WEALTH

CHOKE IT,

MAKING IT UNFRUITFUL.

23 BUT WHAT WAS SOWN ON GOOD SOIL

IS THE MAN WHO HEARS THE WORD

AND UNDERSTANDS IT.

HE PRODUCES A CROP,

YIELDING A HUNDRED, SIXTY OR THIRTY TIMES

WHAT WAS SOWN.

(Matthew 13:19-23)