11
These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.
12
Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing.
13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds.
14
Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind.
15
Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
16
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
17
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
18
Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities." (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.)
19
So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus and asked him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20
It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means."
21
Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new.