Parable of the Lamp. 21^e He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?^f 22For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.^g 23Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” 24He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.^h 25To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”ⁱ

Seed Grows of Itself. 26He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God;^* it is as if a man were to scatter seed^j on the land 27and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

The Mustard Seed. 30^k He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32^* But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33With many such parables^l he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

8^g Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.^* 9Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.^h Then the God of peace will be with you.^*

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.ⁱ 11Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.^j 12I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.^k 14Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

15You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the gospel,^* when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. 17It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. 18I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice,^* pleasing to God.^l 19My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.^m 20To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.ⁿ