Study Desk

But, while, in Athens, Paul was expecting them, his spirit within him was being urged on, seeing how the city was given to idols.

So then, he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them who worshipped; and, in the market-place, every day, with them who happened to be at hand.

But, certain both of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers, were encountering him; and some were saying - What might this picker-up-of-scraps wish to be saying? And, others - Of foreign demons, he seemeth to be a declarer: because, of Jesus and the Resurrection, he was announcing the joyful tidings.

And so, laying hold of him, they brought him up, to the Hill of Mars, saying - Can we get to know what this new teaching is, which, by thee, is being spoken.

For, certain foreign things, art thou bringing into our hearing: We are minded to get to know, therefore, what these things please to be!

Now, all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners, unto nothing else, were devoting their leisure, than to be telling or hearing, something newer.

And Paul taking his stand in the midst of the Hill of Mars, said - Ye men of Athens! In every way, how unusually reverent of the demons ye are, I perceive.

For, passing through, and carefully observing your objects of devotion, I found an altar also, in which was inscribed - Unto an Unknown God. What, therefore, not knowing, ye reverence, the same, do, I, declare unto you.

The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell,

nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things;

he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place,

that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us.

For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are.

Being, then, offspring, of God, we ought not to be supposing that, unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man, the Divine, is like.

The times of ignorance, therefore, overlooking, God, as things now are, is charging all men everywhere to repent,

inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out, - offering faith unto all, by raising him from among the dead?

Now, when they heard of raising the dead, some, indeed, began to mock, while, others, said - We will hear thee, concerning this, even again.

Thus, Paul, came forth out of their midst.

But, certain persons, joining themselves unto him, believed; among whom were even Dionysius the Mars-hill judge, and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.