Tune: Kingsfold
(\'I heard the voice of Jesus say\')
Matthew 13 v.10-16
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The disciples came to Jesus
Enquired, Please answer us
Why speak parables to the crowd
And hidden truths enshroud?
Jesus replied, Because it is
Given to you, know this
To know hidden truths, mysteries
But the crowd none them sees
Mysteries of the kingdom [of heaven] are
To you given, but far
Are the crowd from them, for it be
Not given to them see
For whosoever has, to they
Shall be given more, then
Shall have abundance, but whoe\'er
Has not shall lose their share
I speak to them in parables
Truth of them none recalls
Saying, By hearing you shall hear
But not understand clear
And seeing you shall see, and shall
Not perceive, not know well
For this people\'s heart has grown dull
And hearing too is dull
And eyes they have closed, lest they see
With their eyes, so it be
Lest they her with their ears, and should
Understand if they would
With their heart, and be converted
Healed, if in my way led
This be a Jewish idiom*
And here too be the sum
Outcome expressed as if it be
The intention, here see
But blessed be eyes of believers
They see, Christ them assures
And blessed their ears for they do hear
Christ\'s hidden truths plain, clear
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* Isaiah 6 v.9-10. The plan is for the people to search for the meanings of the mysteries, or hidden truths, of the kingdom of heaven, which Jesus gives them in the form of parables. But they do not see or hear or perceive and so the outcome (stanza 5) is that they do not get beyond the surface meanings of the parables.