Acts 19:23-41

23About that time 1a major disturbance occurred in regard to 23the Way. 24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of 4Artemis, 5was bringing 6considerable 7business to the craftsmen; 25he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity 8depends upon this business. 26You see and hear that not only in 9Ephesus, but in almost all of 1011Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that 1213gods made by hands are not gods at all. 27Not only is there danger that this trade of ours will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess 14Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of 1516Asia and 17the 18world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”

28When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began shouting, saying, “Great is 19Artemis of the 20Ephesians!” 29The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along 21Gaius and 22Aristarchus, Paul’s 23Macedonian traveling 24companions. 30And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, 25the disciples would not let him. 31Also some of the 26Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to 27venture into the theater. 3228So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the 29assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know 30for what reason they had come together. 33Some of the crowd 31concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having 32motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 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 33Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of 34Ephesus, what person is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great 35Artemis and of the image which fell down from 36the sky? 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 37temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and 3839proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another. 39But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the 40lawful 41assembly. 40For indeed, we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real reason for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41After saying this he dismissed the 42assembly.