Acts 17:17-21 Consequently, he began to reason and dialogue (hold discussions) with the Jews and with the reverent, religious folks within the synagogue, and then, day by day in the marketplace, to those happening along (or: toward people whom he is happening to meet, at the side).

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁷ Consequently, he began to reason and dialogue (hold discussions) with the Jews and with the reverent, religious folks within the synagogue, and then, day by day in the marketplace, to those happening along (or: toward people whom he is happening to meet, at the side). ¹⁸ Now certain folks – both of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers – began throwing [comments; thoughts; ideas] together to (or: took to conversing with; were intermittently tossing remarks at) him, and some had been saying, "What could this seed-collector (= a bird that picks up scraps in the market place or fallen seeds in the field; = a chatterer who gathers scraps of knowledge and repeats trifling things) now possibly intend (or: want) to continue saying?" While others [said], "He seems to be an announcer of (publisher for; one putting forth a case about) foreign (or: alien; strange) demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence; here may refer to foreign divinities)," because he had been announcing the message of goodness, ease and well-being: Jesus and the resurrection! ¹⁹ So [other MSS: Along with this; D adds: after a few days,] after taking a hold on him, they brought [him] up on the Areopagus (or: a meeting of the council of the Areopagos [a body similar to a municipal or colonial senate]), various ones saying, "Are we able (or: Can we) get to know what this fresh, new teaching [is] which is being repeatedly spoken by you? ²⁰ "For you see, you continue importing into our hearing some things being presently strange and foreign. Therefore we are now wishing and intending (we are resolved) to personally know and experience (or: gain insight about) [what] these certain things are progressively intending (purposing; resolving) to be." ²¹ In fact, all Athenians and the foreigners repeatedly being temporary residents (or: sojourners; folks continuing as resident aliens) were habitually spending leisure time (or: good opportunities; seasons of ease) [invested] into nothing different than to be saying (or: telling) something or to be hearing (or: listening to) something fresher and newer (= the latest novelty).