Acts 19:22-41

22And having sent into 1Macedonia two of 2those who ministered to him, 3Timothy and 4Erastus, he himself stayed in 56Asia for a while.

23About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning 7the Way. 24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of 8Artemis, 9was bringing no little 10business to the craftsmen; 25these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity 11depends upon this business. 26You see and hear that not only in 12Ephesus, but in almost all of 1314Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that 1516gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess 17Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of 1819Asia and 20the 21world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”

28When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is 22Artemis of the 23Ephesians!” 29The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed 24with one accord into the theater, dragging along 25Gaius and 26Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling 27companions from 28Macedonia. 30And when Paul wanted to go into the 29assembly, 30the disciples would not let him. 31Also some of the 31Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to 32venture into the theater. 3233So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the 34assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know 35for what reason they had come together. 33Some of the crowd 36concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having 37motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the 38assembly. 34But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is 39Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of 40Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great 41Artemis and of the image which fell down from 42heaven? 36So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37For you have brought these men here who are neither 43robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and 4445proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the 46lawful 47assembly. 40For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41After saying this he dismissed the 48assembly.