Parable of the Sower

A farmer sowing in the field

English Translation

This farmer is sowing seed in his field. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; the birds ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered under the sun. Other seed fell among thorns so it could grow because the thorns choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop. Jesus told this parable and also explained its meaning. Some heard the gospel, and they admitted that it was good, but at the same time their hearts were filled with many other matters, so that they forgot about it. Some  were persecuted, so they abandoned the gospel. These people are like the seed that fell on the rock, because they had no root, they couldn’t grow. Some heard the gospel but just could not stop doing evil and were not self-disciplined. These people are like seed that fell among thorns. They are blinded by the world and cannot grow. Some heard the gospel, but Satan entered into their hearts and took the good seed away. This is like the seed eaten by the birds. But some heard the gospel, believed it, and followed it, repented and corrected themselves, pleading for forgiveness. They also try to spread the gospel to others. These people are like seed that fell on good soil that will yield a crop.

Simplified Transcription

这个农人正在他的田地里撒种。有的种子撒在路旁,被雀鸟吃尽。有的落在石头上,被日头晒干。有的落在荆棘里,不能生长,因为苗被荆棘遮盖。有的落在好土里,便可以结实。这是耶稣所说的比喻,但是耶稣把这比喻的意思也说出来。有人听了福音,也承认是好,但是同时他们心里又充满了许多别的事,以致把福音忘记;或者受了逼迫,他们就把福音抛弃。这样的人就如同撒在石头地上的种子,因为没有根,所以不能生长。有的人听了福音,只是不肯放弃他们所作的恶事,不肯克己。这样的人正如同落在荆棘中的种子,被世俗蒙蔽,不能生长。有人听了福音,不料撒但进入他们的心把好种子都取去。这就如同是被鸟吃了的种子。但是有的听了福音,就信从遵行,悔罪改过,请求赦免。他们也设法向别人传说。这样的人正如同是撒在好土里结实的种子。

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