What characteristics show passage 1 to be closest to ordinary language? passage 1 from a sermon on the mount whoever comes to me, hears what i say, and follows it is like a man who built a house. he dug deep and laid the foundation on solid rock. when a storm rose up and lashed the house, it stood firm, for it was built on rock. but whoever hears what i say and does not follow it is like a man who built a house on sand, with no foundation. when the storm came and lashed this house, it fell into ruins.