The Uproar in Thessalonica

1And having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And according to custom to Paul, he went in to them, and upon three sabbaths discussed with them from the writings, 3Opening and setting before, that it was necessary for Christ to suffer, and rise from, the dead; and that this is Christ Jesus, whom I announce to you. 4And certain of them were persuaded, and were assigned by lot to Paul and Silas; and of worshipping Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the first women.

5And the unbelieving Jews, having been jealous, and having taken certain evil men of the vulgar, and excited to tumult, they disturbed the city by loud noise, and having stood against the house of Jason, they sought to bring them to the populace. 6And not having found them, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, That those having subverted the habitable globe, these also are present here; 7Which Jason has received: and these all do opposite to Caesar's enactments, saying, There is another king, Jesus. 8And they troubled the crowd and rulers of the city, having heard these. 9And having taken sufficient of Jason, and the rest, they loosed them.

The Character of the Bereans

10And the brethren quickly sent out both Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who arriving went away to the synagogue of the Jews. 11And they were of more noble birth than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all willingness, and examined the writings daily, if these things might hold thus. 12Therefore truly many of them believed; and of the distinguished Grecian women, and of men, not few. 13And when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that also in Berea the word of God was announced by Paul, they came there also, agitating the crowd. 14And quickly the brethren sent away Paul to go as by the sea: and both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15And they conveying Paul brought him even to Athens: and having taken a command to Silas and Timothy that now they might come to him most speedily, they departed.

Paul in Athens

16And Paul waiting for them among the Athenians, his spirit was excited in him, seeing the city being addicted to idol worship. 17Therefore truly he discussed in the synagogue with Jews, and those worshipping, and in the assembly in every day with those being present. 18And certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers deliberated with him. And certain said, What may this idle, talkative man wish to say? and others, He seems to be a declarer of strange demons: because he announced to them good news, and the rising up. 19And having taken him, they brought upon Mars' hill, saying, Can we know what this new teaching is, spoken by thee? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we wish therefore to know what these things may be. 21(And all the Athenians and strangers being present, passed time in nothing else but to say or hear some thing new.)

Paul’s Address in the Areopagus

22And Paul having stood in the midst of Mars' hill, said, Men, Athenians, I see that in all things ye have a superstitious fear of divinity. 23For having passed by, and beholding your venerations, I found also an altar upon which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom not knowing therefore ye reverence, him I announce to you. 24God having made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made by hands; 25Nor is served by men's hands, standing in need of anything, he giving to all life, and breath, and all things. 26And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having limited the times before arranged, and the bounds of their habitation; 27To seek the Lord, if perchance indeed they have felt for him, and found, although not being far from each one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and are; as certain of the composers among you have said, For we also are his race. 29Being therefore the posterity of God, we ought not to think gold, or silver, or stone, an engraving of art, or meditation of man, the divinity to be like. 30Therefore truly, God having overlooked the times of ignorance, now announces to all men everywhere to repent: 31Wherefore he set a day, in which he is about to judge the habitable globe in justice by the man whom he appointed; having offered faith to all, having raised him from the dead.

32And having heard of the rising up of the dead, they treated with mockery; and said, We will hear thee again concerning this. 33And so Paul went forth from the midst of them. 34And certain men having joined him, believed: among whom also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.