Mark 4:29-36
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 4
29Now when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.'
30And He was saying, 'How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?
31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil,
32yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that THE BIRDS OF THE SKY can NEST UNDER its shade.'
King James Version
Chapter 4
29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31It 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: 32But 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. 33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.Christian Standard Bible
30And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?
31It's like a mustard seed that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground.
32And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade."
New Living Translation
30Jesus said, 'How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?
31It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,
32but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.'
English Standard Version
Chapter 4
29But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,
32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
New International Version
30Again he said, 'What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.'
New King James Version
Chapter 4
29But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”