17. He held discussions in the synagogue with Jews and converts to Judaism. He also held discussions every day in the public square with anyone who happened to be there.
18. Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers had discussions with him. Some asked, “What is this babbling fool trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be speaking about foreign gods.” The philosophers said these things because Paul was telling the Good News about Jesus and saying that people would come back to life.
19. Then they brought Paul to the city court, the Areopagus, and asked, “Could you tell us these new ideas that you’re teaching?
20. Some of the things you say sound strange to us. So we would like to know what they mean.”
21. Everyone who lived in Athens looked for opportunities to tell or hear something new and unusual.
22. Paul stood in the middle of the court and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious.