"And the one on whom seed was sownamongthe thorns,thisis the man who hearsthe word,and the worryof the worldand the deceitfulnessof wealthchokethe word,and it becomesunfruitful.
Instructthosewho are richin thispresentworldnot to be conceitedorto fix their hopeon the uncertaintyof riches,but on God,who richlysuppliesus with all thingsto enjoy.
"The [seed] which fellamongthe thorns,theseare the ones who have heard,and as they go on their waythey are chokedwith worriesand richesand pleasuresof [this] life,and bringnofruit to maturity.
ThenHe saidto them, "Beware,and be on your guardagainstevery formof greed;for not [even] whenonehas an abundancedoes his lifeconsistof his possessions."
for Demas,having lovedthispresentworld,has desertedme and goneto Thessalonica;Crescens[has gone] to Galatia,Titusto Dalmatia.
"Othersfellamongthe thorns,and the thornscameup and chokedthem out.
"Sois the man who stores up treasurefor himself,and is not richtowardGod."
"Behold,the manwho would not makeGodhis refuge,But trustedin the abundanceof his riches[And] was strongin his [evil] desire."
"Be on guard,sothat your heartswill not be weighted downwith dissipationand drunkennessand the worriesof life,and that daywill not comeon you suddenlylikea trap;
For thussaysthe LORDto the menof Judahand to Jerusalem,"Breakup your fallowground,And do not sowamongthorns.
He who trustsin his richeswill fall,But the righteouswill flourishlike the [green] leaf.
Do not trustin oppressionAnd do not vainlyhopein robbery;Ifrichesincrease,do not set[your] heart[upon them].
Nowwhen Simonsawthat the Spiritwas bestowedthroughthe layingon of the apostles'hands,he offeredthem money,
Therewas a certainmanwithouta dependent,havingneithera sonnora brother,yet therewas noendto allhis labor.Indeed,his eyeswere not satisfiedwith riches[and he never asked], "And for whomam I laboringand deprivingmyselfof pleasure?"Thistoois vanityand it is a grievoustask.
When you setyour eyeson it, it is gone.For [wealth] certainlymakesitself wingsLike an eaglethat flies[toward] the heavens.
"Whoeverspeaksa wordagainstthe Sonof Man,it shall be forgivenhim; but whoeverspeaksagainstthe HolySpirit,it shall not be forgivenhim, eitherin thisageorin the [age] to come.
and the enemywho sowedthem is the devil,and the harvestis the endof the age;and the reapersare angels.
"Sojustas the taresare gatheredup and burnedwith fire,soshall it be at the endof the age.
And do not be conformedto thisworld,but be transformedby the renewingof your mind,sothat you may provewhatthe willof Godis, that which is goodand acceptableand perfect.
Whereis the wise man?Whereis the scribe?Whereis the debaterof thisage?Has not Godmade foolishthe wisdomof the world?
Yetwe do speakwisdomamongthosewho are mature;a wisdom,however,not of thisagenorof the rulersof thisage,who are passing away;
[the wisdom] whichnoneof the rulersof thisagehas understood;for ifthey had understoodit they would not have crucifiedthe Lordof glory;
Let no mandeceivehimself.Ifany manamongyou thinksthat he is wisein thisage,he must becomefoolish,sothat he may becomewise.
in whosecasethe godof thisworldhas blindedthe mindsof the unbelievingsothat they might not seethe lightof the gospelof the gloryof Christ,whois the imageof God.
who gaveHimselffor our sinssothat He might rescueus from thispresentevilage,accordingto the willof our Godand Father,
in whichyou formerlywalkedaccordingto the courseof thisworld,accordingto the princeof the powerof the air,of the spiritthat is nowworkingin the sonsof disobedience.
