The Uproar in Thessalonica 1 CPDV Now when they had walked through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. BSB BSB: When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2 CPDV Then Paul, according to custom, entered to them. And for three Sabbaths he disputed with them about the Scriptures, BSB BSB: As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 CPDV 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.” BSB BSB: explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.
4 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
5 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
7 CPDV and Jason has received them. And all these men act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” BSB BSB: and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”
8 CPDV And they incited the people. And the rulers of the city, upon hearing these things, BSB BSB: On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed.
9 CPDV and having received an explanation from Jason and the others, released them. BSB BSB: And they collected bond from Jason and the others and then released them.
The Character of the Bereans 12 CPDV And indeed, many believed among them, as well as not a few among the honorable Gentile men and women. BSB BSB: As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.
13 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.
14 CPDV And then the brothers quickly sent Paul away, so that he might travel by sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there. BSB BSB: The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
15 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
Paul in Athens 17 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.
18 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
19 CPDV And apprehending him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying: “Are we able to know what this new doctrine is, about which you speak? BSB BSB: So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 CPDV For you bring certain new ideas to our ears. And so we would like to know what these things mean.” BSB BSB: For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
21 CPDV (Now all the Athenians, and arriving visitors, were occupying themselves with nothing other than speaking or hearing various new ideas.) BSB BSB: Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.
Paul’s Address in the Areopagus 23 CPDV 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: BSB BSB: For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.
25 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
29 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
30 CPDV And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance. BSB BSB: Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
31 CPDV 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.” BSB BSB: For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
32 CPDV 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.” BSB BSB: When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
33 CPDV So Paul departed from their midst. BSB BSB: At that, Paul left the Areopagus.
34 CPDV 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. BSB BSB: But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.