15
But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.
16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
18
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also encountered him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be advocating foreign demons," because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
19
They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?
20
For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean."
21
Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
22
Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.
23
For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.
24
The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands,
25
neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.