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 Paul's custom, he went in to them; and for three sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3opening and setting forth that it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that "This Jesus Whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ." 4And some of them were persuaded, and cast in their lot with Paul and Silas; also, of the devout Greeks, a great number; and, of the principal women, not a few.

5But the Jews, moved with jealousy, and taking to themselves certain evil men of the rabble, and gathering a multitude, were setting the city in an uproar; and, assaulting the house of Jason, they were seeking them to lead them, forth to the populace. 6But, not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, shouting, "These who turned the inhabited earth upside down are present here also; 7whom Jason has received; and these all are acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that "There is Another King?Jesus!" 8And they troubled the multitude and the city-rulers, hearing these things; 9and, having taken security from Jason and the rest, they released them.

The Character of the Bereans

10But the brethren straightway sent away both Paul and Silas by night to Beraea; who, indeed, having arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. 12Many, of them, therefore, believed; also, of the reputable Grecian women, and of men, not a few. 13But, when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that also in Beraea the word of God was proclaimed by Paul, they came there also, stirring up and troubling the multitudes, 14And then straightway the brethren sent away Paul to journey as far as to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there still. 15But those conducting Paul brought him as far as Athens; and, having received a command to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Paul in Athens

16And, while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him, observing that the city was full of idols. 17So, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met him. 18And some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were encountering him. And some said, "What would this babbler wish to say?" And others said, He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods;" because he proclaimed the good tidings of Jesus and the resurrection. 19And, laying hold of him, they led him upon Mars Hill, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, that is being spoken by you! 20for you bring to our ears certain strange things; we wish, therefore, to know what these things mean." 21Now all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners were wont to spend their leisure in nothing else, than either to tell or to hear something new.

Paul’s Address in the Areopagus

22And Paul, having taken his stand in the midst of Mars Hill, said, "Men of Athens, in all respects I observe that ye are more than usually regardful of the deities; 23for, passing through, and considering your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which had been inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, in ignorance ye worship, this I declare to you. 24The God Who made the world and all things therein, The Same being Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, 25nor is ministered to by human hands, as if needing anything; Himself giving to all life, and breath, and all things; 26and He made of one every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27that they should seek God, if, perhaps, they might feel after Him, and find Him, although, in truth, He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live, and move, and are; as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.' 29"Being, therefore, God's offspring, we ought not to suppose that the God-head is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by man's art and device! 30God, therefore, having overlooked the time of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent; 31inasmuch as He appointed a day in which He intendeth to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness, by a Man Whom He appointed, having given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead."

32And, hearing of the resurrection of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking; but others said, "We will hear you concerning this yet again." 33Thus Paul went forth out of their midst. 34But certain men, joining themselves to him, believed; among whom also were Dionysius?the Areopagite?and a woman, Damaris by name, and others with them.