1 Uma vez mais, logo se juntou uma multidão imensa, pelo que entrou num barco e se sentou nele. O barco estava na água, enquanto a multidão ficava à beira-mar, mas em terra.

2 E ensinava as pessoas por meio de parábolas. Numa delas, deu-lhes este ensino: 3 "Ouçam bem: certo homem foi semear. 4 Enquanto semeava, algumas sementes caíram à beira do caminho, vieram as aves e comeram-nas. 5 Outras caíram em solo pedregoso com pouca terra; como o solo não tinha profundidade cresceram logo. 6 Mas quando o sol rompeu, murcharam; e como não ganharam raízes, acabaram por secar. 7 Outras caíram entre espinhos que em pouco tempo sufocaram os rebentos, pelo que não deram grão. 8 Outras, porém, outras caíram em bom solo, cresceram, desenvolveram-se e deram trinta, sessenta ou cem vezes mais. 9 Quem tem ouvidos, ouça!"

10 E logo que se achou a sós, os que o acompanhavam, juntamente com os doze discípulos, pediram-lhe a explicação das parábolas. 11 Ele respondeu-lhes: "É-vos concedido conhecer o mistério do reino de Deus; mas àqueles que estão fora, tudo se expõe por parábolas.

12 ‘De modo que, ainda que vejam e vejam,

não percebam,

e ainda que ouçam e ouçam, não entendem.

Não estou empenhado em que se arrependam,

nem em perdoá-los.’ "*4.12 Is 6.9-10.

13 E acrescenta: "Se não entenderem esta parábola, como compreenderão todas as outras? 14 O homem vai semear a palavra. 15 As sementes que ficam à beira do caminho são aqueles que receberam a palavra; mal a ouvem, logo vem Satanás tirar-lhes a palavra que neles tinha sido semeada. 16 As semeadas em solo pedregoso são os que ouvem a palavra e a recebem com alegria. 17 Todavia, não deitam raízes, antes duram pouco; depois, aparecem dificuldades ou perseguições por causa da palavra, e logo essa pessoa se escandaliza. 18 As semeadas entre os espinhos são os que ouvem a palavra, 19 mas as preocupações desta vida, a ambição da riqueza e os outros desejos surgem e abafam a palavra, pelo que fica sem fruto. 20 Mas as sementes plantadas em solo bom são aqueles que ouvem a palavra e a recebem, e produzem uma colheita trinta, sessenta ou até cem vezes maior!"

21 Jesus perguntou-lhes: "Quando alguém acende uma lâmpada, será que a coloca debaixo duma caixa ou da cama? Não a coloca antes num candeeiro?

22 Pois nada há oculto que não venha a mostrar-se, nem nada encoberto que não venha a manifestar-se. 23 Quem tem ouvidos, ouça! 24 Cuidado com o que ouvem! A medida que usarem para medir será usada também para vos medir e ainda vos será aumentada. 25 Quem tiver receberá; mas a quem não tem até o que tiver lhe será tirado.

26 Vou explicar-vos de outra maneira o reino de Deus: Um lavrador semeou o seu campo e foi embora. 27 Com o passar dos dias, as sementes foram crescendo sem a sua ajuda, 28 pois era a terra que fazia as sementes crescerem. Primeiro, apareceu uma folha, mais tarde, formaram-se as espigas de trigo, até que por fim o grão amadureceu. 29 O lavrador veio logo com a foice e tratou de colhê-lo.

30 A que compararei o reino de Deus? Que parábola contarei para o explicar? 31 É como uma semente de mostarda; ao ser plantada na terra, embora seja a menor de todas as sementes que existem, 32 cresce e transforma-se na maior de todas as plantas, e dá grandes ramos, em cuja sombra as aves do céu podem fazer os seus ninhos."

33 Por meio de muitas parábolas como esta anunciava a palavra ao povo, até onde este podia entendê-la. 34 Aliás, nunca o fazia sem lhes contar uma parábola; mas quando estava a sós com os discípulos, explicava-lhes o que queria dizer.

35 Ao cair da tarde desse dia, Jesus disse aos discípulos: "Vamos atravessar para a outra margem do lago." 36 Deixando a multidão para trás, entraram no barco onde ele já estava e começaram a travessia, embora outros barcos os seguissem. 37 Mas logo se levantou um tão grande temporal, com vendaval e ondas rebentando contra o barco, que este já estava cheio de água.

38 Entretanto, Jesus dormia deitado na popa, com a cabeça numa almofada. Inquietos, acordaram-no, gritando: "Mestre, não te preocupa que estejamos quase a morrer?" 39 Ele, levantando-se, repreendeu o vento e disse ao mar: "Aquieta-te!" O vento parou e fez-se uma grande calma. 40 E disse-lhes: "Porque estavam com tanto medo? Ainda não têm fé?"

41 E tomados de grande espanto, perguntavam uns aos outros: "Mas quem é este, a quem o próprio vento e o mar obedecem?"

1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?