15
Now1those who escortedPaulbrought him as far as 2Athens; and receiving a command for 3Silas and Timothy to 4come to him as soon as possible, they left.
Paul at Athens
16Now while Paul was waiting for them at 5Athens, his spirit was being provokedwithin him as he was observing the cityfull of idols.
17
So he was reasoning6in the synagogue with the Jews and 7the 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 8thisidlebabblerwish to say?" Others*, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strangedeities,"-because he was preaching9Jesus and the resurrection.
19
And they 10took him and brought him to the 11Areopagus, saying, "May we knowwhat12thisnewteaching is which you are proclaiming?
20
"For you are bringingsomestrangethings to our ears; so we want to knowwhatthesethingsmean*."
21
(Nowall the Athenians and the strangers13visiting there used to spend their time in nothingotherthantellingorhearingsomethingnew.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
22SoPaulstood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of 14Athens, I observe that you are very15religious in allrespects.
23
"For while I was passingthrough and examining the 16objects of your worship, I alsofound an altar with thisinscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWNGOD.' Thereforewhat17you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
24
"18The God who made the world and allthings in it, since He is 19Lord of heaven and earth, does not 20dwell in templesmade with hands;
25
nor is He served by humanhands, 21as though He neededanything, since He Himselfgives to all people life and breath and allthings;