101The brethrenimmediatelysent2Paul and Silasaway by night to 3Berea, and when they arrived, they went into 4the synagogue of the Jews.
11
Nowthese were morenoble-minded than those in 5Thessalonica, for they received the word with greateagerness, examining the Scripturesdaily* to see whetherthesethings were so.
12
Therefore6many of them believed, along with a number* of 7prominentGreek8women and men.
13
But when the Jews of 9Thessalonicafound out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in 10Bereaalso, they camethere as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14
Thenimmediately11the brethrensentPaul out to go as far as the sea; and 12Silas and 13Timothyremainedthere.
15
Now14those who escortedPaulbrought him as far as 15Athens; and receiving a command for 16Silas and Timothy to 17come to him as soon as possible, they left.
Paul at Athens
16Now while Paul was waiting for them at 18Athens, his spirit was being provokedwithin him as he was observing the cityfull of idols.
17
So he was reasoning19in the synagogue with the Jews and 20the 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 21thisidlebabblerwish to say?" Others*, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strangedeities,"-because he was preaching22Jesus and the resurrection.
19
And they 23took him and brought him to the 24Areopagus, saying, "May we knowwhat25thisnewteaching is which you are proclaiming?
20
"For you are bringingsomestrangethings to our ears; so we want to knowwhatthesethingsmean*."
21
(Nowall the Athenians and the strangers26visiting there used to spend their time in nothingotherthantellingorhearingsomethingnew.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
22SoPaulstood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of 27Athens, I observe that you are very28religious in allrespects.
23
"For while I was passingthrough and examining the 29objects of your worship, I alsofound an altar with thisinscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWNGOD.' Thereforewhat30you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
24
"31The God who made the world and allthings in it, since He is 32Lord of heaven and earth, does not 33dwell in templesmade with hands;
25
nor is He served by humanhands, 34as though He neededanything, since He Himselfgives to all people life and breath and allthings;
26
and 35He made from one man everynation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having 36determined their appointedtimes and the boundaries of their habitation,
27
that they would seekGod, ifperhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, 37though* He is not far from eachone of us;
28
for 38in Him we live and move and exist, as evensome of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'
29
"Beingthen the children of God, we 39ought not to think that the DivineNature is likegoldorsilverorstone, an imageformed by the art and thought of man.
30
"Therefore having 40overlooked41the times of ignorance, God is 42nowdeclaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
31
because He has fixed43a day in which44He willjudge45the world in righteousnessthrough a Manwhom He has 46appointed, having furnishedproof to allmen by 47raising Him from the dead."
32
Now when they heard of 48the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but otherssaid, "We shall hear you again*concerningthis."