Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



And those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and having received a commandment for Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him. read more.
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him; and some said: What can this babbler possibly wish to say? Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons: for he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection. And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Wherefore, being no longer able to contain ourselves, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;


And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and of the chief women, not a few.

This I say, therefore, and appeal to you solemnly in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other Gentiles walk, in the error of their minds, darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves up to licentiousness, that they may work all manner of uncleanness with greediness.

Therefore, be not anxious, saying: What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, with what shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.


But I say, that the things which the Gen tiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not wish you to be partakers with demons.


But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Be not, there fore, like them; for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

who, in past generations, permitted all the nations to walk in their own ways;

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him.

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; read more.
nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who, by unrighteousness, restrain the truth. Because that which may be known of God, is manifest among them; for God has made it manifest to them, (for, since the creation of the world, his attributes, which are invisible, are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity,) that they may be without excuse; read more.
because, when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful; but they became perverse in their reasonings, and their wicked heart was darkened; professing to be wise, they became foolish, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. For which reason God delivered them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, that they might dishonor their bodies among themselves; who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God delivered them over to vile passions: for their females exchanged their natural use for that which is against nature: and in like manner also the males, leaving the natural use of the females, burned in their lusts one toward another, males with males practicing infamous lewdness, and receiving in them selves the due reward of their error. And as they refused to acknowledge God, God delivered them up to an undiscerning mind, to do detestable things; as they were filled with all unrighteousness, lewdness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity; whisperers, evil-speakers, haters of God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents; without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful; who, acknowledging the judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but approve those who practice them.

For which reason, you are without excuse, man, who ever you are, that judge; for in that in which you judge an other, you condemn yourself; for you who judge, practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God against those who practice such things, is according to truth. But do you, man, who judge those that practice such things, and yet do the same, conclude that you will escape the judgment of God? read more.
Or, do you despise the riches of his goodness, and his forbearance, and his long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But, according to your hard and impenitent heart, you treasure up to yourself wrath for a day of wrath, and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his works; to those who, by patient continuance in good works, seek for glory and honor and incorruptibility, eternal life: but to those who are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, anger and wrath, affliction and distress, upon every soul of man that practices what is evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek: but glory and honor and peace to every one that practices what is good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned under law, shall be judged by law, in the day when God shall judge the secret works of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, who have not a law, do, by nature, the things of the law, these who have not a law, are a law to themselves,

You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to those dumb idols, as you might be led.

We, who are Jews by birth, and not Gentile sinners,

for it is a shame even to speak of the things that are done by them in secret.


For the time past of our life should be enough for us to have worked the will of the Gentiles, while we walked in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, revelings, drinkings, and unlawful idolatries. They are amazed at this that you run not with them into the same excess of debauchery, and they revile you.



Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;


And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. read more.
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


And, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return, and visit our brethren in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with him John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul did not think it proper to take with them him who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work. read more.
There was, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas, and departed, having been commended to the grace of God by the brethren. And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And he came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess, who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. A good report was given of him by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. This man Paul wished to go with him: and he took him and circumcised him, on account of the Jews that were in those places: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been resolved on by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, that they might keep them. Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily. When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, and had come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit did not permit them. But having passed by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And, during the night, a vision appeared to Paul. A certain man of Macedonia stood and besought him, saying: Come over to Macedonia and help us. After he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, setting sail from Troas, we came by a straight course to Samothracia, and, on the following day, to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. We remained in that city some days: and on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to the side of a river, where, as usual, was the house of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things that were spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been immersed, she be sought us, saying: If you judge me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and make it your home. And she con strained us. And it came to pass, that as we were going to the house of prayer, there met us a certain maid-servant that had a spirit of Python, who brought much gain to her masters, by giving responses. She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most High God, who show us the way of salvation. And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the market to the rulers. And having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men, who are Jews, do greatly trouble our city; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us, who are Romans, to receive or to observe. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates stripped off their clothes, and gave command to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, and charged the jailer to keep them securely. And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung a hymn to God; and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed. And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying: Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and, having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your house shall be saved. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all that were in his house. And he took them at that hour of the night, and washed the blood from their stripes; and he was immersed, himself and all his, immediately. And he brought them into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying: Release those men. And the jailer told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you. Now, therefore, come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out. And the lictors told these words to the magistrates: and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Romans; and they came, and entreated them, and led them out,. and requested them to depart from the city. And having come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, according to his custom, went in to them, and, for three sabbath-days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and affirming that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ. And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and of the chief women, not a few. But the unbelieving Jews, taking with them some evil men, who were loungers about the markets, and collecting a mob, set the city in an uproar; and having assaulted the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. But not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying out: These men, who have thrown the world into confusion, have come hither also; whom Jason has received into his house: and they all act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying, That there is another king, Jesus. And the multitude, and the rulers of the city, were troubled when they heard these things. And they took security of Jason, and of the others, and let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea; and when they had come, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were of a better disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed; both of influential women, who were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea also, they came thither, and excited the multitude. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, to go as if to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and having received a commandment for Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him; and some said: What can this babbler possibly wish to say? Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons: for he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection. And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had lately come from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome, he went to them; and because he was of the same trade, he made his home with them, and worked: for by trade they were tent-makers. But on every sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul was roused in spirit, and earnestly testified to the Jews, that-the Christ was Jesus. But when they set themselves in opposition, and reviled, he shook his clothing, and said to them: Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean. Henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, who worshiped God, and whose house joined the synagogue. But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were immersed. And the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision in the night: Fear not; but speak, and be not silent; for I am with you, and no one shall make an assault upon you, to injure you; for I have many people in this city. And he remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them But while Gallic was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews, with one mind, suddenly came upon Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat, saying: This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallic said to the Jews: If it were a matter of in justice, or of wicked mischief, Jews, I would, with reason, bear with you: but if it is a question about a word, and names, and your law, see to it yourselves: for I will not be a judge of these tilings. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. And all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallic cared for none of these things. And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and sailed to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he him self went into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And though they besought him to remain with them a longer time, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying: I must, by all means, keep this coming feast in Jerusalem: but I will return to you, if God be willing. And he sailed from Ephesus, and having landed at Caesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.


Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him; and some said: What can this babbler possibly wish to say? Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons: for he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection. read more.
And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


And, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return, and visit our brethren in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with him John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul did not think it proper to take with them him who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work. read more.
There was, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas, and departed, having been commended to the grace of God by the brethren. And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And he came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess, who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. A good report was given of him by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. This man Paul wished to go with him: and he took him and circumcised him, on account of the Jews that were in those places: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been resolved on by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, that they might keep them. Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily. When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, and had come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit did not permit them. But having passed by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And, during the night, a vision appeared to Paul. A certain man of Macedonia stood and besought him, saying: Come over to Macedonia and help us. After he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, setting sail from Troas, we came by a straight course to Samothracia, and, on the following day, to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. We remained in that city some days: and on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to the side of a river, where, as usual, was the house of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things that were spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been immersed, she be sought us, saying: If you judge me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and make it your home. And she con strained us. And it came to pass, that as we were going to the house of prayer, there met us a certain maid-servant that had a spirit of Python, who brought much gain to her masters, by giving responses. She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most High God, who show us the way of salvation. And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the market to the rulers. And having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men, who are Jews, do greatly trouble our city; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us, who are Romans, to receive or to observe. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates stripped off their clothes, and gave command to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, and charged the jailer to keep them securely. And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung a hymn to God; and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed. And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying: Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and, having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your house shall be saved. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all that were in his house. And he took them at that hour of the night, and washed the blood from their stripes; and he was immersed, himself and all his, immediately. And he brought them into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying: Release those men. And the jailer told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you. Now, therefore, come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out. And the lictors told these words to the magistrates: and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Romans; and they came, and entreated them, and led them out,. and requested them to depart from the city. And having come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, according to his custom, went in to them, and, for three sabbath-days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and affirming that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ. And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and of the chief women, not a few. But the unbelieving Jews, taking with them some evil men, who were loungers about the markets, and collecting a mob, set the city in an uproar; and having assaulted the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. But not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying out: These men, who have thrown the world into confusion, have come hither also; whom Jason has received into his house: and they all act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying, That there is another king, Jesus. And the multitude, and the rulers of the city, were troubled when they heard these things. And they took security of Jason, and of the others, and let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea; and when they had come, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were of a better disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed; both of influential women, who were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea also, they came thither, and excited the multitude. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, to go as if to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and having received a commandment for Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him; and some said: What can this babbler possibly wish to say? Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons: for he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection. And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had lately come from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome, he went to them; and because he was of the same trade, he made his home with them, and worked: for by trade they were tent-makers. But on every sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul was roused in spirit, and earnestly testified to the Jews, that-the Christ was Jesus. But when they set themselves in opposition, and reviled, he shook his clothing, and said to them: Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean. Henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, who worshiped God, and whose house joined the synagogue. But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were immersed. And the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision in the night: Fear not; but speak, and be not silent; for I am with you, and no one shall make an assault upon you, to injure you; for I have many people in this city. And he remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them But while Gallic was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews, with one mind, suddenly came upon Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat, saying: This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallic said to the Jews: If it were a matter of in justice, or of wicked mischief, Jews, I would, with reason, bear with you: but if it is a question about a word, and names, and your law, see to it yourselves: for I will not be a judge of these tilings. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. And all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallic cared for none of these things. And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and sailed to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he him self went into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And though they besought him to remain with them a longer time, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying: I must, by all means, keep this coming feast in Jerusalem: but I will return to you, if God be willing. And he sailed from Ephesus, and having landed at Caesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.


Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; read more.
nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being: as also some of your own poets have said: For we his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead.


Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; read more.
nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: