3 He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched, and because they did not have sufficient root, they withered. 7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 The one who has ears had better listen!”

40 So I have said, and so it is. 41 The farmer sows many seeds in the ground and plants many plants, but not all the seeds sown come up safely in season, nor do all the plants strike root. So too in the world of men: not all who are sown will be preserved.’ 42 To that I replied: ‘If I have won your favor, let me speak. 43 The farmer’s seed may never come up because it is given no rain at the right time, or it may rot because of too much rain. 44 But man, who was formed by your hands and made in your image, and for whose sake you made everything - will you compare him with seed sown by a farmer? 45 Surely not, O Lord above! Spare your own people and pity them, for you will he pitying your own creation.’