11
Nowthese were morenoble-minded than those in 1Thessalonica, for they received the word with greateagerness, examining the Scripturesdaily* to see whetherthesethings were so.
12
Therefore2many of them believed, along with a number* of 3prominentGreek4women and men.
13
But when the Jews of 5Thessalonicafound out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in 6Bereaalso, they camethere as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14
Thenimmediately7the brethrensentPaul out to go as far as the sea; and 8Silas and 9Timothyremainedthere.
15
Now10those who escortedPaulbrought him as far as 11Athens; and receiving a command for 12Silas and Timothy to 13come to him as soon as possible, they left.
Paul at Athens
16Now while Paul was waiting for them at 14Athens, his spirit was being provokedwithin him as he was observing the cityfull of idols.
17
So he was reasoning15in the synagogue with the Jews and 16the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplaceeveryday with those who happened to be present.
18
And alsosome of the Epicurean and Stoicphilosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would 17thisidlebabblerwish to say?" Others*, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strangedeities,"-because he was preaching18Jesus and the resurrection.
19
And they 19took him and brought him to the 20Areopagus, saying, "May we knowwhat21thisnewteaching is which you are proclaiming?
20
"For you are bringingsomestrangethings to our ears; so we want to knowwhatthesethingsmean*."
21
(Nowall the Athenians and the strangers22visiting there used to spend their time in nothingotherthantellingorhearingsomethingnew.)