Acts 19:24-40

24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of 1Artemis, 2was bringing 3considerable 4business to the craftsmen; 25he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity 5depends upon this business. 26You see and hear that not only in 6Ephesus, but in almost all of 78Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that 910gods 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 11Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of 1213Asia and 14the 15world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”

28When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began shouting, saying, “Great is 16Artemis of the 17Ephesians!” 29The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along 18Gaius and 19Aristarchus, Paul’s 20Macedonian traveling 21companions. 30And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, 22the disciples would not let him. 31Also some of the 23Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to 24venture into the theater. 3225So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the 26assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know 27for what reason they had come together. 33Some of the crowd 28concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having 29motioned 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 30Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of 31Ephesus, what person is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great 32Artemis and of the image which fell down from 33the 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 34temple 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 3536proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another. 39But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the 37lawful 38assembly. 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.”