So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that yoʋ are presenting?
For my sake you will even be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
All the people were amazed so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new teaching is this that with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him?”
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another.
For yoʋ are bringing some strange things to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”
Paul then stood before the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see just how religious you are in every way.
but some of the people joined him and believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
So the commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that yoʋ have to tell me?”
After several days, when Felix came back with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ.
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” Festus said, “Tomorrow yoʋ will hear him.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Yoʋ have permission to speak for yoʋrself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and began to make his defense: