¹⁶ These in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.

²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

³¹ They come to you as the people comes, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don't do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

³² Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they don't do them.

²⁰ What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;

²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

¹³ Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.

³⁵ He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

¹⁹ A scribe came, and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

²⁰ Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

¹⁷ As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

¹⁸ Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one-- God.

¹⁹ You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not give false testimony,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and mother.'"

²⁰ He said to him, "Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth."

²¹ Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."

²² But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.

¹³ Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occuring, he was amazed.

¹⁸ Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,

¹⁹ saying, "Give me also this power, that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."

²⁰ But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn't right before God.