The Riot in Ephesus

21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit[fn] to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, I must see Rome as well.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, [while] he stayed for a time in [the province of] Asia.

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance[fn] about the Way. 24 [ It began with] a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business[fn] to the craftsmen.

25 [Demetrius] assembled [the craftsmen], along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our [source of] prosperity. 26 And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole [province of] Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made [gods] are no gods [at all]. 27 [There is] danger not only [that] our business will fall into disrepute, but also [that] the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—[she] who is worshiped by all [ the province of ] Asia and the [whole] world.”

28 [When] [the men] heard [this], they were enraged [and] began shouting “Great [is] Artemis of [the] Ephesians!” 29 [Soon] the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with [them] Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

30 Paul wanted to go before the assembly, [but] the disciples would not allow him. 31 Even some of [Paul’s] friends who were officials of [the province of] Asia[fn] sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

32 Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing [and some another], and most [of them] did not [even] know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander {forward} to explain himself, and [he] motioned for silence so he could make [his] defense to the people. 34 But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours “Great [is] Artemis of [the] Ephesians!”

35 Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd [and] declared, “Men [of] Ephesus, doesn’t [everyone] know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of [her image], which fell from heaven? 36 Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men {here}, [though they have] neither robbed [our] temple nor blasphemed our goddess.

38 So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, [the] courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another [ there ]. 39 But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s [events], [and] we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

41 [After] he had said [this], he dismissed the assembly.