Acts 19:23-35

23At that time a great disturbance took place concerning the Way.

24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a great deal of business to the craftsmen.

25He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business.

26And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.

27There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.”

28When they heard this they became enraged and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

29The city was filled with the uproar, and the crowd rushed to the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.

30But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly, the disciples would not let him.

31Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

32So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together.

33Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly.

34But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for about two hours.

35After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven?