New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
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.
11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
12 Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing.
12
As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
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.
13
But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.
14 Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind.
14
The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.
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.
15
Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
16
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly 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.
17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by 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.)
18
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching 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?
19
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to 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."
20
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new.
21
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.