15
And those who conducted Paul brought him unto Athens and, having received direction for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17
Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the marketplace daily with those who met with him.
18
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, "What will this babbler say?" And some others said, "He seemeth to be a proclaimer of strange gods," because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.
19
And they took him and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is whereof thou speakest?
20
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, and we would know therefore what these things mean."
21
(For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else than either telling or hearing some new thing.)
22
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill and said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23
For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: `To the Unknown God'. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I declare unto you.
24
God who made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.
25
Neither is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.