[4] And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: [5] A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. [6] And some upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. [8] And other fell good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said he cried, He that hath ears to hear, [9] And his disciples asked him, What this parable [10] And he said, it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing not see, and hearing not understand. [11] Now the parable this: The seed the word of God. [12] Those by the way side they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, they should believe and be saved. [13] They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. [14] And that which fell among thorns they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and no fruit to perfection. [15] But that on the good ground they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. [16] No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. [17] For nothing secret, that not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that not be known and come abroad. [18] Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.