Acts

17 And travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews;

2 and according to Paul’s custom he went in unto them, and for three sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,—

3 opening up and setting forth, that it was needful for the Christ to suffer and to arise from among the dead; and [saying] This is the Christ,—Jesus whom I am declaring unto you.

4 And some from among them were persuaded and cast in their lot with Paul and Silas; also of the devout Greeks a great throng, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Jews being jealous and taking unto themselves certain wicked men of the rabble, and making a riot were setting the city in an uproar; and besieging the house of Jason were seeking to lead them forth unto the populace,—

6 and not finding them they began dragging Jason and certain brethren unto the city-rulers, shouting—They who have thrown the inhabited earth into confusion the same hither also are come,—

7 unto whom Jason hath given welcome; and these all contrary to the decrees of Caesar are acting,—saying that there is another king, Jesus.

8 And they troubled the multitude and the city-rulers when they heard these things;

9 and taking security from Jason and the rest they let them go.

10 But the brethren straightway during the night sent away both Paul and Silas unto Beroea, who indeed arriving unto the synagogue of the Jews went off;

11 and these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they welcomed the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching the Scriptures,—whether these things could be so.

12 Many therefore from among them believed, and of the Grecian women of the higher class and of men not a few.

13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica came to know that in Beroea also had the word of God been declared by Paul they came thither also, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.

14 Howbeit then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to be journeying as far as unto the sea; and both Silas and Timothy stayed behind there.

15 But they who were conducting Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy, that with all possible speed they would come unto him they departed.

16 But while in Athens Paul was expecting them his spirit within him was being urged on, seeing how the city was given to idols.

17 So then he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and with them who worshipped; and in the market-place every day with them who happened to be at hand.

18 But certain both of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers were encountering him; and some were saying—What might this picker-up-of-scraps wish to be saying? And others—Of foreign demons he seemeth to be a declarer: because of Jesus and the Resurrection he was announcing the joyful tidings.

19 And so laying hold of him they brought him up to the Hill of Mars, saying—Can we get to know what this new teaching is which by thee is being spoken?

20 For certain foreign things art thou bringing into our hearing: We are minded to get to know therefore what these things please to be!

21 Now all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners unto nothing else were devoting their leisure, than to be telling or hearing something newer.

22 And Paul taking his stand in the midst of the Hill of Mars, said—Ye men of Athens! In every way how unusually reverent of the demons ye are I perceive.

23 For passing through, and carefully observing your objects of devotion I found an altar also in which was inscribed—Unto an Unknown God. What therefore not knowing ye reverence the same do I declare unto you.

24 The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same being Lord of heaven and earth not in hand-made shrines doth dwell,

25 nor by human hands is waited upon as though in want of anything, himself giving unto all life and breath and all things;

26 he made also of one every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth,—marking out fitting opportunities and the bounds of their dwelling place,

27 that they might be seeking God—if after all indeed, they might feel after him and find him,—although in truth he is already not far from any one of us.

28 For in him we live and move and are: as even some of your own poets have said—For his offspring also we are.

29 Being then offspring of God we ought not to be supposing that unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man the Divine is like.

30 The times of ignorance therefore overlooking God as things now are is charging all men everywhere to repent,

31 inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out,—offering faith unto all by raising him from among the dead.

32 Now when they heard of raising the dead some indeed began to mock, while others said—We will hear thee concerning this even again.

33 Thus Paul came forth out of their midst.

34 But certain persons joining themselves unto him believed; among whom were even Dionysius the Mars-hill judge, and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.