12. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
13. But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble.
14. The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind.
15. Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.
16. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.
17. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
18. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
19. Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said.
20. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.”
21. (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
22. So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,