Scripture Readings

Monday, September 3, 2012

Mark 4:10-23 (Gospel)

10
But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
11
And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
12
so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’”
13
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
14
The sower sows the word.
15
And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16
These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17
and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
18
Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19
and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20
But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
21
Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
22
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
23
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”