New: Plus articles on faith, family and the Bible. Read them →

Berean Standard Bible

“For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.”

Acts 17:23

Save as image

Study note

Waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy, Paul is distressed by the city full of idols. He reasons in the synagogue and the marketplace, and philosophers bring him to the Areopagus, the council that oversaw religious and intellectual life.

Open Study notes above for the full note.

Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.

World English Bible (WEB)

For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.

King James Version (KJV)

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.

American Standard Version (ASV)

For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

For when I came by, I was looking at the things to which you give worship, and I saw an altar with this writing on it, TO THE GOD OF WHOM THERE IS NO KNOWLEDGE. Now, what you, without knowledge, give worship to, I make clear to you.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

for passing through and contemplating your objects of worship, I found also an erection on which had been inscribed: To God -- unknown; whom, therefore -- not knowing -- you do worship, this One I announce to you.

Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Porque pasando y mirando vuestros santuarios, hallé también un altar en el cual estaba esta inscripción: AL DIOS NO CONOCIDO. Aquél pues, que vosotros honráis sin conocerle, á éste os anuncio yo.

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

—

Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

porque al andar por la ciudad hallé que entre todos los altares que poseen hay uno con la siguiente inscripción: “Al Dios desconocido”. Al Dios que ustedes han estado adorando sin conocer, es al que yo les anuncio.

Be the first to discuss this verse in Yeshva.

Share your thoughts on this verse with the Yeshva community.

Discuss in Yeshva