I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past--

so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: I will open My mouth in parables; I will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak brought me from Aram; the king of Moab, from the eastern mountains: "Come, put a curse on Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel!"

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God, they are saying of me: Isn't he [just] posing riddles?"

He answered them, "Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand.

For this people's heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back-- and I would cure them.

for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

Near the end of their kingdoms, when the rebels have reached the full measure of their sin, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.

Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness--