The Uproar in Thessalonica 1 UEB Now when they had passed through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to the city of 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 UEB Paul, as his custom was, went to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from 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 UEB He was opening the scriptures and explaining that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead. He said, "This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ." 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 UEB Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading 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 UEB But the unbelieving Jews, being moved with jealousy, took certain wicked men from the marketplace, gathered a crowd together, and set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they wanted to bring Paul and Silas 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 UEB These men whom Jason has welcomed act against the decrees of Caesar; they say 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 UEB The crowd and the officials of the city were disturbed when they heard these things. BSB BSB: On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed.
9 UEB But after the officials made Jason and the rest pay money as security, then they let them go. BSB BSB: And they collected bond from Jason and the others and then released them.
The Character of the Bereans 12 UEB Therefore many of them believed, including some influential Greek women and many men. BSB BSB: As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.
13 UEB But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God at Berea, they went there and stirred up and troubled the crowds. 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 UEB Then immediately, the brothers sent Paul to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. BSB BSB: The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
15 UEB Those who were leading Paul took him as far as the city of Athens. As they left Paul there, they received from him instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible. 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 UEB So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and others who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace with those who happened to be 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 UEB But also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be one who calls people to follow strange gods," because he was proclaiming 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 UEB They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know this new teaching which you were speaking? 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 UEB For you bring some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want 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 UEB (Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing but either telling or listening about something new.) 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 UEB For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription, "To an Unknown God." What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce 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 UEB Neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives people life and breath and everything 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 UEB Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the qualities of deity are like gold, or silver, or stone—images created by the art and imagination of man. 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 UEB Therefore God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent. BSB BSB: Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
31 UEB This is because he has set a day when he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has chosen. God has given proof of this man to everyone 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 UEB Now when the men of Athens heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked Paul; but others said, "We will listen to you again about this matter." 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 UEB After that, Paul left them. BSB BSB: At that, Paul left the Areopagus.
34 UEB But certain men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, 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.