The Riot in Ephesus

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

25 

vvv [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 vvv enraged [and] began shouting“Great [is] Artemis of [the] Ephesians!” 29 [Soon] the whole city[fn] vvv 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 vvv 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] vvv did not [even] know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander {forward},[fn] 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 goddess[fn] Artemis and of [her image], which fell from heaven? 36 Since these things are undeniable, you vvv ought to be calm and vvv not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men {here}, [though they have] neither robbed [our] temple nor blasphemed your[fn] goddess.

38 

So if Demetrius and vvv vvv 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 concerning other matters,[fn] it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 For vvv we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s [events], vvv vvv vvv [and] we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

41 

[After] he had said [this], he dismissed the assembly. 20