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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 17

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1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

*After going through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at Thessalonica. There, they found a Jewish synagogue.

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

*And as usual, Paul went to them and for three Sabbath days explained their teachings from the holy writings.

3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

*Claiming that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that the Jesus I teach about is the true Christ.

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

*Some people believed and joined Paul and Silas. Many religious Greeks and many important women also believed.

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

*But the unbelieving Jews, filled with envy, gathered some bad people and caused a riot in the city. They attacked Jason's house, trying to take the believers out and give them to the people.

6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

*When they couldn't find them, they brought Jason and some other believers to the city leaders, complaining, "These people who have changed everything have come here too."

7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

*Jason accepted these people, but they go against Caesar's decisions, claiming another king named Jesus.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

*They upset the people and city leaders when they heard about these events.

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

*When they captured Jason and the others, then they released them after getting a guarantee.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

*The brothers quickly sent Paul and Silas to Berea at night. When they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

*These people in Thessalonica were more respectable because they eagerly accepted the message and regularly checked the scriptures to see if it was true.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

*So, many people believed, including some respected Greek women and several men.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

*But when the Thessalonian Jews learned that Paul was teaching God's word in Berea, they went there too and incited the locals.

14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

*Then right away, the brothers sent Paul to the sea, while Silas and Timothy stayed behind.

15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

*Paul's escorts took him to Athens. They received orders to quickly bring Silas and Timothy to him, so they left right away.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

*While Paul waited in Athens, he felt his spirit move as he noticed the entire city filled with idols.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

*So, he argued with the Jews and religious people at the synagogue, and also in the market every day with those who came across him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

*Then, some philosophers from the Epicureans and Stoics groups met him. Some thought, What will this person who talks about random things say? Others thought, He seems to be introducing unusual gods since he talked about Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

*They brought him to Areopagus and asked, "Tell us about this new teaching you're talking about."

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

*You tell us about unusual things, so we want to understand what they mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

*All the people in Athens and visitors spent their time doing nothing but talking about or listening to new things.

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

*Then Paul stood in a place on Mars' hill and told the people of Athens, "I see that you are very afraid of strange spirits in everything."

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

*As I walked by, I saw your prayers. I noticed an altar with a message: "To the unknown god." So, I'm telling you now, the one you unknowingly worship is the unknown god.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

*God, who created everything in the world, since he is the ruler of the heavens and the Earth, does not live in buildings made by people.

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

*He isn't touched by people's hands like a needy person because he gives everything - life, breath, and everything else.

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

*God has created all people from one source of life so they can live everywhere on Earth. He has also set the time and place where each group of people should live.

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

*They should look for the Lord, so they can hopefully sense his presence and find him, even though he is always close to each one of us.

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

*In him, we exist, act, and find our purpose; just like some of your poets say, because we are all his descendants.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

*Since we are God's children, we shouldn't think that God is like gold, silver, or stone made by people's skills.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

*God ignored people's ignorance in the past, but now He wants everyone to apologize and change their ways.

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

*Because he has chosen a specific day for judging the world fairly, through the person he selected. He has proven this to everyone by bringing him back to life after he died.

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

*When they learned about people coming back to life, some laughed: while others said, We'll listen to you about this later.

33 So Paul departed from among them.

*So, Paul left the group.

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

*However, some people stuck with him and believed: among these were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others too.

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