Acts 19:8-22

8For three months Paul would go into the synagogue and speak boldly. He had discussions with people to convince them about God’s kingdom.

9But when some people became stubborn, refused to believe, and had nothing good to say in front of the crowd about the way ⌞of Christ⌟, he left them. He took his disciples and held daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

10This continued for two years so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

11God worked unusual miracles through Paul.

12People would take handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul’s skin to those who were sick. Their sicknesses would be cured, and evil spirits would leave them.

13Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, “I order you ⌞to come out⌟ in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about.”

14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15But the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?”

16Then the man possessed by the evil spirit attacked them. He beat them up so badly that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.

17All the Jews and Greeks living in the city of Ephesus heard about this. All of them were filled with awe for the name of the Lord Jesus and began to speak very highly about it.

18Many believers openly admitted their involvement with magical spells and told all the details.

19Many of those who were involved in the occult gathered their books and burned them in front of everyone. They added up the cost of these books and found that they were worth 50,000 silver coins.

20In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.

21After all these things had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem by traveling through Macedonia and Greece. He said, “After I have been there, I must see Rome.”

22So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed longer in the province of Asia.