The Uproar in Thessalonica

1And having traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came into Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And according to custom to Paul, he came in unto them, and for three Sabbaths he expounded unto them from the scriptures, 3opening and proving, that it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is the Christ. 4And certain ones of them were persuaded, and identified themselves with Paul and Silas, and of the pious Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5But the Jews giving away to jealousy, and receiving to themselves certain wicked men of those around the forum, and raising a mob, continued to put the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they were seeking to lead them out to the people: 6but not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, roaring that, These who have turned the world upside down are also come hither; 7whom Jason has received: and all these are doing contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, Jesus. 8And they excited the rabble and the city rulers hearing these things; 9and having received satisfaction from Jason and the others they sent them away.

The Character of the Bereans

10But the brethren immediately sent away both Paul and Silas to Berea by night, who coming into the synagogue of the Jews departed; 11but these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all enthusiasm, searching the scriptures daily, if these things are so. 12Then indeed many of them believed, and of the noble Greek women and men, not a few; 13but when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea, they came thither also, agitating and stirring up the rabbles. 14But immediately at that time the brethren sent away Paul to travel even to the sea: and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15But having embarked Paul, they led him even to Athens: and receiving commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed from him.

Paul in Athens

16But Paul waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, seeing the city devoted to idolatry. 17Then indeed he spoke to the Jews, and to the worshipers in the synagogue, and to those incidentally meeting him every day in the forum. 18And certain ones of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers interviewed him, and some continued to say, What would this babbler wish to say? and others said, He seems to be the propagator of strange divinities: because he was preaching the gospel of Jesus, and the resurrection. 19And taking him, they led him to the Areopagus, saying; Are we able to know what is this new teaching, spoken by thee? 20For you bring certain strange things to our hearing: therefore we desire to know what these things wish to be. 21But all the Athenians and itinerant strangers were accustomed to devote their time to nothing else, than to tell something new, or to hear something.

Paul’s Address in the Areopagus

22And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Athenian men, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. 23For going through, and seeing your devotions, I also found an altar on which it was superscribed, To THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore I now preach unto you Him whom you are ignorantly worshiping. 24God having made the world and all things which are in it, being himself Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25neither is he worshiped by human hands, as if needing something, Himself having given life, and breath, and all things to all; 26and of (one) man he created every nation of men to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, having determined their predestinated times, and the boundaries of their habitation; 27that they should seek God, if perhaps indeed they might feel after him, and find him, though not being far from each one of you. 28For in him we live and move and have our being, as indeed certain ones of your own poets have said, For we are truly his offspring. 29Then being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that divinity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the invention of art and the device of man. 30Then indeed God winking at the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent: 31as He has appointed a day, in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; giving faith to all, having raised Him from the dead.

32And having heard the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: others said; We will hear thee concerning this even again. 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But certain men, having adhered to him, believed; among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman Damarias by name, and others along with them.