Acts 19:23–40

²³Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord.

²⁴For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver temples for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen.

²⁵Whom he calling together with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade.

²⁶And you see and hear that this Paul, by persuasion hath drawn away a great multitude, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying: they are not gods which are made by hands.

²⁷So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also the temple of great Diana shall be reputed for nothing! Yea, and her majesty shall begin to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

²⁸Having heard these things, they were full of anger and cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

²⁹And the whole city was filled with confusion. And having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

³⁰And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

³¹And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

³²Now some cried one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused: and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together.

³³And they drew forth Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction,

³⁴But as soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for the space of about two, hours, cried out: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

³⁵And when the town clerk had appeased the multitudes, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana and of Jupiter’s offspring?

³⁶For as much therefore as these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly.

³⁷For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor of blasphemy against your goddess.

³⁸But if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open: and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.

³⁹And if you inquire after any other matter, it may be decided in a lawful assembly.

⁴⁰For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.