The Parable Of The Sower

Behold, a sower went forth to sow,

And all of his seeds were good,

But some seeds feel by the side of the way

Where the fowls came seeking good.

Some fell upon ground that was full of stones

And quickly were plants begun,

But they had no depth, and they had no root,

So they withered in the sun.

And some seeds fell upon thorny soil

And while a good start they gained,

The thorns sprang up, with a will of the own,

And choked them, till none remained.

But others fell into perfect ground

And brought forth fruit that was good,

Some thirty, some sixty, or hundredfold,

Rich fruit, for the master’s food.

Hear ye therefore what the parable means:

When anyone hears the word

And understand not what the word would tell,

The devil comes as a bird

And catcheth what was sown in his heart,

Till no seed remaineth there;

This is what fell by the side of the way,

Devoured by fowls of the air.

But the seed that fell in a stony place

Is he that with joy receives,

Still he has no root, and when trials come

He has not strength to believe.

And the seed that fell upon fertile ground

And bore much fruit that was good

Is he that heard the word of the Lord,

And hearing, he understood.

by Barbara C. Ryberg