Acts of the Apostles 17

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Passing through Amphipolis and Apol onia, they eventual y reached Thessalonica, where there was aJewish synagogue.	1 Now when they had walked through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 Paul as usual went in and for three consecutive Sabbaths developed the arguments from scripture forthem,	2 Then Paul, according to custom, entered to them. And for three Sabbaths he disputed with them about the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving how it was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead. 'Andthe Christ', he said, 'is this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.'	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 Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, and so did a great many godfearing peopleand Greeks, as wel as a number of the leading women.	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 The Jews, ful of resentment, enlisted the help of a gang from the market place, stirred up a crowd, andsoon had the whole city in an uproar. They made for Jason's house, hoping to bring them before the People'sAssembly;	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 however, they found only Jason and some of the brothers, and these they dragged before the citycouncil, shouting, 'The people who have been turning the whole world upside down have come here now;	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 they have been staying at Jason's. They have broken Caesar's edicts by claiming that there is anotherking, Jesus.'	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 Hearing this, the citizens and the city council ors were alarmed,	8 And they incited the people. And the rulers of the city, upon hearing these things,
9 and they made Jason and the rest give security before setting them free.	9 and having received an explanation from Jason and the others, released them.
10 When it was dark the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Beroea, where they went tothe Jewish synagogue as soon as they arrived.	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 Here the Jews were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they welcomed the wordvery readily; every day they studied the scriptures to check whether it was true.	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 Many of them became believers, and so did many Greek women of high standing and a number ofthe men.	12 And indeed, many believed among them, as well as not a few among the honorable Gentile men and women.
13 When the Jews of Thessalonica came to learn that the word of God was being preached by Paul inBeroea as wel , they went there to make trouble and stir up the people.	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 So the brothers arranged for Paul to go immediately as far as the coast, leaving Silas and Timothybehind.	14 And then the brothers quickly sent Paul away, so that he might travel by sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 Paul's escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy torejoin Paul as soon as they could.	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 Paul waited for them in Athens and there his whole soul was revolted at the sight of a city given overto idolatry.	16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred up within him, seeing the city given over to idolatry.
17 In the synagogue he debated with the Jews and the godfearing, and in the market place he debatedevery day with anyone whom he met.	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 Even a few Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, 'What can this parrotmean?' And, because he was preaching about Jesus and Resurrection, others said, 'He seems to be apropagandist for some outlandish gods.'	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 They got him to accompany them to the Areopagus, where they said to him, 'Can we know what thisnew doctrine is that you are teaching?	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 Some of the things you say seemed startling to us and we would like to find out what they mean.'	20 For you bring certain new ideas to our ears. And so we would like to know what these things mean.”
21 The one amusement the Athenians and the foreigners living there seem to have is to discuss andlisten to the latest ideas.	21 (Now all the Athenians, and arriving visitors, were occupying themselves with nothing other than speaking or hearing various new ideas.)
22 So Paul stood before the whole council of the Areopagus and made this speech: 'Men of Athens, Ihave seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters,	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 because, as I strol ed round looking at your sacred monuments, I noticed among other things an altarinscribed: To An Unknown God. In fact, the unknown God you revere is the one I proclaim to you.	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 'Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he doesnot make his home in shrines made by human hands.	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 Nor is he in need of anything, that he should be served by human hands; on the contrary, it is he whogives everything -- including life and breath -- to everyone.	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 From one single principle he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy theentire earth, but he decreed the times and limits of their habitation.	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 And he did this so that they might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed infinding him; and indeed he is not far from any of us,	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 since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: Weare al his children.	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 'Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything ingold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man.	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 'But now, overlooking the times of ignorance, God is tel ing everyone everywhere that they mustrepent,	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 because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged in uprightness by a man he hasappointed. And God has publicly proved this by raising him from the dead.'	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 At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, 'We would liketo hear you talk about this another time.'	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 After that Paul left them,	33 So Paul departed from their midst.
34 but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysiusthe Aeropagite and a woman cal ed Damaris, and others besides.	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.