Matthew 13:10-16

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, a “To you it has been given to know b the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12  c For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not d even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because e seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, f nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

g “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears h they can barely hear,
and i their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and j understand with their heart
and k turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But l blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
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