1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2And Paul, as was his custom, went in and for three Sabbath days, reasoned with them from out of the Scriptures, 3Opening and explaining, that Christ, the Messiah, had to suffer, die, and be raised again from the dead; and that “This Jesus, Whom I am proclaiming to you, is Christ, the Messiah.” 4And some of the Jews were persuaded and believed, and joined with Paul and Silas; as did many devout Greeks, and quite a few prominent women. 5But some dis-believing Jews, moved with envy, rounded up trouble-makers, formed a mob, and incited a riot in the city. They assaulted the house of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas, so they could drag them out to the mob. 6And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers to the city officials, shouting, “These men have turned the world upside down; and now they have come here, too; 7And Jason has welcomed them into his house; and they all defy the decrees of Caesar, claiming that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8And they threw the people and the city officials into an uproar, when they heard these things. 9And after they had made Jason and the other post bond, they let them go.

10And when night fell, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. And when they arrived there, they entered the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Berean Jews were more noble in character than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, but then searched the Scriptures every day, to see whether those things Paul said were true. 12As a result, many of them believed; as well as several prominent Greek women, and quite a few men. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they came there also, and stirred up trouble.

14Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the seacoast; but Silas and Timothy remained at Berea. 15Those escorting Paul brought him to Athens; and then Paul sent for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible. 16While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was troubled when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned with the Jews, and the devout persons in the synagogue, and with those that he met daily in the market. 18Then Paul encountered certain philosophers - Epicureans, and Stoics - and when he told them about Jesus and the resurrection, some said, “What is this babbler saying?” Others, “He seems to be advocating for some strange gods.” 19And they brought him to Areopagus (Mars) Hill, saying, “Tell us more about this new doctrine you speak of. 20For you are bringing some strange ideas to our ears; and we would like to know more about what they mean.” 21(For all the Athenians and foreigners there spent their time doing nothing better than just telling, or hearing, the newest ideas.) 22So then Paul stood up, in the middle of the Mars' hill meeting, and said, “You people of Athens, I notice that in all things you are very religious. 23For as I walked by, and observed your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription, ‘To The Unknown God.’ This God, Whom you worship without knowing Him, I am now telling you about: 24The God, Who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with human hands, 25Nor is He served by men's hands, as though He needed anything. Instead, He gives to everyone life, breath, and everything else.

26“And from one man He made all the nations that dwell on the face of the earth, and has pre-determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their lands, 27God did this so that they would seek Him and reach out for Him, and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us; 28For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; and as some of your own poets have also said, ‘For we are His offspring’. 29Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we should not think that the Godhead (Divine Being) is something made of gold, silver, or stone – an image made by human design and skillful art. 30And in times past, God was overlooked (excused) this ignorance of Him; but God now commands all men everywhere to repent, and turn to Him; 31Because He has appointed a day, in which He will judge the world in righteousness by the very Man That He has ordained; about Whom He has given assurance (proof) to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead.” 32And when they heard Paul mention the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed and sneered; but others said, “We would like to hear you again on this subject.” 33And at that point Paul left their assembly (council). 34Nevertheless, some of them joined him, and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, an Areopagite (member of the Areopagus Council), and a woman named Damaris, and several others, as well.