King James Bible
"And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
The earth responds to God's command by producing vegetation in ordered categories—grass and seed-bearing plants that reproduce according to their distinct types. This emphasizes both the earth's obedience to divine decree and the built-in stability of creation through self-perpetuating species. Trees represent a third category of vegetation, distinguished by their fruit-bearing nature with seeds contained within. The phrase 'seed was in itself' highlights God's design for sustainable reproduction, ensuring each species maintains its identity across generations. This divine assessment appears after each creative act, affirming that the vegetation perfectly fulfills its intended purpose. The declaration establishes a pattern in Genesis 1 where God evaluates his work, pronouncing it morally and functionally excellent.