Acts 19:8-41

8And he entered 1the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them 2about the kingdom of God. 9But when 3some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of 45the Way before the 6people, he withdrew from them and took 7the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10This took place for 8two years, so that all who lived in 910Asia heard 11the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11God was performing 12extraordinary 13miracles by the hands of Paul, 1214so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and 15the evil spirits went out. 13But also some of the Jewish 16exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to 17use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14Now there were seven sons of 18Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. 15But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” 16And the man in whom was the evil spirit, pounced on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known to all who lived in 19Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18Also many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they added up the prices of 20the books and found it to be fifty thousand 2122pieces of silver. 20So 2324the word of the Lord 25was growing and prevailing mightily.

21Now after these things were finished, Paul resolved in 26the Spirit to 27go to Jerusalem 28after he had passed through 29Macedonia and 30Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, 31I must also see Rome.” 22And after he sent into 32Macedonia two of 33those who assisted him, 34Timothy and 35Erastus, he himself stayed in 3637Asia for a while.

23About that time 38a major disturbance occurred in regard to 3940the Way. 24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of 41Artemis, 42was bringing 43considerable 44business to the craftsmen; 25he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity 45depends upon this business. 26You see and hear that not only in 46Ephesus, but in almost all of 4748Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that 4950gods 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 51Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of 5253Asia and 54the 55world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”

28When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began shouting, saying, “Great is 56Artemis of the 57Ephesians!” 29The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along 58Gaius and 59Aristarchus, Paul’s 60Macedonian traveling 61companions. 30And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, 62the disciples would not let him. 31Also some of the 63Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to 64venture into the theater. 3265So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the 66assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know 67for what reason they had come together. 33Some of the crowd 68concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having 69motioned 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 70Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of 71Ephesus, what person is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great 72Artemis and of the image which fell down from 73the 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 74temple 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 7576proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another. 39But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the 77lawful 78assembly. 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 79assembly.