Acts 17:13-25

¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.

¹⁴And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.

¹⁵But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

¹⁶Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

¹⁷So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.

¹⁸And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

¹⁹And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?

²⁰For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

²¹(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)

²²And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious.

²³For 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 ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

²⁴The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

²⁵neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;