17
So he was reasoning1in the synagogue with the Jews and 2the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplaceeveryday with those who happened to be present.
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And alsosome of the Epicurean and Stoicphilosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would 3thisidlebabblerwish to say?" Others*, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strangedeities,"-because he was preaching4Jesus and the resurrection.
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And they 5took him and brought him to the 6Areopagus, saying, "May we knowwhat7thisnewteaching is which you are proclaiming?
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"For you are bringingsomestrangethings to our ears; so we want to knowwhatthesethingsmean*."
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(Nowall the Athenians and the strangers8visiting there used to spend their time in nothingotherthantellingorhearingsomethingnew.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
22SoPaulstood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of 9Athens, I observe that you are very10religious in allrespects.
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"For while I was passingthrough and examining the 11objects of your worship, I alsofound an altar with thisinscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWNGOD.' Thereforewhat12you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
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"13The God who made the world and allthings in it, since He is 14Lord of heaven and earth, does not 15dwell in templesmade with hands;
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nor is He served by humanhands, 16as though He neededanything, since He Himselfgives to all people life and breath and allthings;
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and 17He made from one man everynation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having 18determined their appointedtimes and the boundaries of their habitation,
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that they would seekGod, ifperhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, 19though* He is not far from eachone of us;