Acts 19:23–41

²³And there took place at that time no small disturbance about the way. ²⁴For a certain man by name Demetrius, a silver-beater, making silver temples of Artemis, brought no small gain to the artisans; ²⁵whom having brought together, and those who wrought in such things, he said, Men, ye know that our well-living arises from this work, ²⁶and ye see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great crowd, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying that they are no gods which are made with hands. ²⁷Now not only there is danger for us that our business come into discredit, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be counted for nothing, and that her greatness should be destroyed whom the whole of Asia and the world reveres. ²⁸And having heard this, and being filled with rage, they cried out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. ²⁹And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, having seized and carried off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul. ³⁰But Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples suffered him not; ³¹and some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre. ³²Different persons therefore cried out some different thing; for the assembly was tumultuous, and the most did not know for what cause they had come together. ³³But from among the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand, would have made a defence to the people. ³⁴But, recognising that he was a Jew, there was one cry from all, shouting for about two hours, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. ³⁵And the townclerk, having quieted the crowd, said, Ephesians, what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great, and of the image which fell down from heaven? ³⁶These things therefore being undeniable, it is necessary that ye should be calm and do nothing headlong. ³⁷For ye have brought these men, who are neither temple-plunderers, nor speak injuriously of your goddess. ³⁸If therefore Demetrius and the artisans who are with him have a matter against any one, the courts are being held, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. ³⁹But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰For also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this affair of to-day, no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse. ⁴¹And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.