4 ¹³ So he said, 'You do not understand this parable? How then are you to understand any parable? 4 ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. 4 ¹⁵ Those along the footpath are people in whom the word is sown, but no sooner have they heard it than Satan comes and carries off the word which has been sown in them. 4 ¹⁶ It is the same with those who receive the seed on rocky ground; as soon as they hear the word, they accept it with joy, 4 ¹⁷ but it strikes no root in them; they have no staying-power; then, when there is trouble or persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. 4 ¹⁸ Others again receive the seed among thistles; they hear the word, 4 ¹⁹ but worldly cares and the false glamour of wealth and all kinds of evil desire come in and choke the word, and it proves barren. 4 ²⁰ And there are those who receive the seed in good soil; they hear the word and welcome it; and they bear fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.'