13
The Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul also proclaimed God's word in Beroea, so they went there too and were upsetting and disturbing the crowds.
14
The brothers and sisters sent Paul away to the seacoast at once, but Silas and Timothy remained at Beroea.
15
Those who escorted Paul led him as far as Athens, then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible.
16
While Paul waited for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to find that the city was flooded with idols.
17
He began to interact with the Jews and Gentile God-worshippers in the synagogue. He also addressed whoever happened to be in the marketplace each day.
18
Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers engaged him in discussion too. Some said, "What an amateur! What's he trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods." (They said this because he was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.)
19
They took him into custody and brought him to the council on Mars Hill. "What is this new teaching? Can we learn what you are talking about?
20
You've told us some strange things and we want to know what they mean." (
21
They said this because all Athenians as well as the foreigners who live in Athens used to spend their time doing nothing but talking about or listening to the newest thing.)
22
Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way.
23
As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.' What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.