Matthew 13:1-16 and Psalm 115

Matthew 13:1-16

[1]That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. [2]Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. [3]And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. [4]And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. [5]Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. [6]But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. [7]Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. [8]Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. [9]Let anyone with ears listen!" 

[10]Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" [11]He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. [12]For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. [13]The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' [14]With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. [15]For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn - and I would heal them.' [16]But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear." 

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Psalm 115

[1]   Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,   
         for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.   
[2]   Why should the nations say,   
         "Where is their God?"

[3]   Our God is in the heavens;   
         he does whatever he pleases.   
[4]   Their idols are silver and gold,   
         the work of human hands.   
[5]   They have mouths, but do not speak;   
         eyes, but do not see.   
[6]   They have ears, but do not hear;   
         noses, but do not smell.   
[7]   They have hands, but do not feel;   
         feet, but do not walk;   
         they make no sound in their throats.   
[8]   Those who make them are like them;   
         so are all who trust in them.

[9]   O Israel, trust in the LORD!   
         He is their help and their shield.   
[10]  O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!   
         He is their help and their shield.   
[11]  You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!   
         He is their help and their shield.

[12]  The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us;   
         he will bless the house of Israel;   
         he will bless the house of Aaron;   
[13]  he will bless those who fear the LORD,   
         both small and great.

[14]  May the LORD give you increase,   
         both you and your children.   
[15]  May you be blessed by the LORD,   
         who made heaven and earth.

[16]  The heavens are the Lord's heavens,   
         but the earth he has given to human beings.   
[17]  The dead do not praise the LORD,   
         nor do any that go down into silence.   
[18]  But we will bless the LORD   
         from this time on and forevermore.   
    Praise the LORD!