Paul and Silas preached in Thessalonica, where some Jews and Gentiles believed, but others incited a disturbance and accused them of treason against Caesar. Paul and Silas were sent away to Beroea, where they preached and many believed, but the Jews from Thessalonica followed and caused trouble again. Paul was then sent to Athens, where he preached to Jews, worshipers, and philosophers, and was brought to the Areopagus to explain his teachings. Paul preached about the one true God, who is not confined to temples or idols, and announced that God would judge the world through Jesus, whom he raised from the dead.
1 Now when they had walked through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews 2 Then Paul, according to custom, entered to them. And for three Sabbaths he disputed with them about the Scriptures 3 interpreting and concluding that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, and that "this is the Jesus Christ, whom I am announcing to you. 4 And some of them believed and were joined to Paul and Silas, and a great number of these were from the worshipers and the Gentiles, and not a few were noble women 5 But the Jews, being jealous, and joining with certain evildoers among the common men, caused a disturbance, and they stirred up the city. And taking up a position near the house of Jason, they sought to lead them out to the people 6 And when they had not found them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying out: "For these are the ones who have stirred up the city. And they came here 7 and Jason has received them. And all these men act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. 8 And they incited the people. And the rulers of the city, upon hearing these things 9 and having received an explanation from Jason and the others, released them 10 Yet truly, the brothers promptly sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. And when they had arrived, they entered the synagogue of the Jews 11 But these were more noble than those who were at Thessalonica. They received the Word with all enthusiasm, daily examining the Scriptures to see if these things were so 12 And indeed, many believed among them, as well as not a few among the honorable Gentile men and women 13 Then, when the Jews of Thessalonica had realized that the Word of God was also preached by Paul at Beroea, they went there also, stirring up and disturbing the multitude 14 And then the brothers quickly sent Paul away, so that he might travel by sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there 15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred up within him, seeing the city given over to idolatry 17 And so, he was disputing with the Jews in the synagogue, and with the worshipers, and in public places, throughout each day, with whomever was there 18 Now certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were arguing with him. And some were saying, "What does this sower of the Word want to say?" Yet others were saying, "He seems to be an announcer for new demons." For he was announcing to them Jesus and the Resurrection 19 And apprehending him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying: "Are we able to know what this new doctrine is, about which you speak 20 For you bring certain new ideas to our ears. And so we would like to know what these things mean. 21 (Now all the Athenians, and arriving visitors, were occupying themselves with nothing other than speaking or hearing various new ideas. 22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious 23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you 24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands 25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else 26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation 27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us 28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family. 29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine 30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance 31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead. 32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, "We will listen to you about this again. 33 So Paul departed from their midst 34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them