17
So he had discussions in the Synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and every day in the market-place with those who were there.
18
And some of those who were supporters of the theories of the Epicureans and the Stoics, had a meeting with him. And some said, What is this talker of foolish words saying? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange gods: because he was preaching of Jesus and his coming back from the dead.
19
And they took him to Mars' Hill, saying, Will you make clear to us what is this new teaching of yours?
20
For you seem to us to say strange things, and we have a desire to get the sense of them.
21
(Now all the Athenians and the men from other lands who come there were giving all their time to talking or hearing of anything new.)
22
And Paul got to his feet on Mars' Hill and said, O men of Athens, I see that you are overmuch given to fear of the gods.
23
For when I came by, I was looking at the things to which you give worship, and I saw an altar with this writing on it, TO THE GOD OF WHOM THERE IS NO KNOWLEDGE. Now, what you, without knowledge, give worship to, I make clear to you.
24
The God who made the earth and everything in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, is not housed in buildings made with hands;
25
And he is not dependent on the work of men's hands, as if he had need of anything, for he himself gives to all life and breath and all things;
26
And he has made of one blood all the nations of men living on all the face of the earth, ordering their times and the limits of their lands,
27
So that they might make search for God, in order, if possible, to get knowledge of him and make discovery of him, though he is not far from every one of us: