Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

1Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3[†]explaining and setting before them that the [†]Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that [†]Christ.” 4And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, [†]along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly. 6And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset [†]the world have come here also; 7[†]and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9And when they had received the bond from Jason and the others, they released them.

In Berea

10And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, [†]and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, [†]for they received the word with [†]great eagerness, [†]examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, shaking up and disturbing the crowds. 14Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

In Athens

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present. 18And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were [†]conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this [†]idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him [†]to the [†]Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is [†]which you are speaking? 20For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.” 21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something newer.)

22So Paul stood in the midst of the [†]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and [†]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’ 29Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man. 30Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge [†]the world in righteousness [†]through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all [†]by raising Him from the dead.”

32Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you [†]again concerning this.” 33In this way, Paul went out of their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.