24 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven," he said, "is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

25 "but while men were asleep his enemy came and sowed tares among his wheat and went away.

26 "And when the blade shot up and formed the wheat-kernel, then the tares also appeared.

27 "The slaves of the owner went to him and said. "Was it not good seed, sir, that you sowed in your field? From whence then, do you get tares?

28 "It is an enemy who has done this, he answered. "The slaves said to him, Do you want us to go and collect them?

29 "No, he answered, for fear lest while you are collecting the tares, you at the same time pull up the wheat.

30 "Let both grow together until harvest, and at harvest-time I will tell the reapers to first gather the tares and tie them in bundles for burning, but to bring all the wheat into my store-house."