9
They made Jason and the others put up a sum of money. Then they let the believers go free.
10
That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the Jewish synagogue.
11
These Jews were more willing to listen than the Jews in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.
12
So, many of them believed, as well as many important Greek women and men.
13
But the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, too. So they came there, upsetting the people and making trouble.
14
The believers quickly sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.
15
The people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could.
16
While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled because he saw that the city was full of idols.
17
In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace.
18
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophersn argued with him, saying, "This man doesn't know what he is talking about. What is he trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be telling us about some other gods," because Paul was telling them about Jesus and his rising from the dead.
19
They got Paul and took him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said, "Please explain to us this new idea you have been teaching.