In Athens

¹⁶ While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue^(A) with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news^(B) about Jesus and the resurrection.^{(C) 19} Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus,^(D) where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching^(E) is that you are presenting? ²⁰ You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”

²⁹ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.^{(A) 30} In the past God overlooked^(B) such ignorance,^(C) but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.^{(D) 31} For he has set a day when he will judge^(E) the world with justice^(F) by the man he has appointed.^(G) He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”^(H)

³² When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,^(I) some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”