Then they brought Paul to the city court, the Areopagus, and asked, “Could you tell us these new ideas that you’re teaching?
The watchman answers, “Morning is coming, and night will come again. If you need to ask, come back and ask.”
Because of me you will even be brought in front of governors and kings to testify to them and to everyone in the world.
Everyone was stunned. They said to each other, “What is this? This is a new teaching that has authority behind it! He gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.”
“I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.
Some of the things you say sound strange to us. So we would like to know what they mean.”
Paul stood in the middle of the court and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious.
Some men joined him and became believers. With them were Dionysius, who was a member of the court, and a woman named Damaris, and some other people.
The officer took the young man by the arm, went where they could be alone, and asked him, “What do you have to tell me?”
Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.
Agrippa told Festus, “I would like to hear the man.” Festus replied, “You’ll hear him tomorrow.”
Agrippa said to Paul, “You’re free to speak for yourself.” Paul acknowledged King Agrippa and then began his defense.