²⁴ Another parable He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

²⁵ But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way.

²⁶ So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also.

²⁷ And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it?

²⁸ He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out?

²⁹ But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it.

³⁶ Then He left the throngs and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel in the field.

³⁷ He answered, He Who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed means the children of the kingdom; the darnel is the children of the evil one,

³⁹ And the enemy who sowed it is the devil. The harvest is the close and consummation of the age, and the reapers are angels.

⁴⁰ Just as the darnel (weeds resembling wheat) is gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the close of the age.

⁴¹ The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of offense [^[a]persons by whom others are drawn into error or sin] and all who do iniquity and act wickedly,

⁴² And will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth.

⁴³ Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him ^[b]consider and perceive and understand by hearing.^(A)