20So the word of the Lord spread very widely in powerful ways.
21Now after Paul completed his ministry in Ephesus, he decided in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem; he said, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22Paul sent to Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, who had helped him. But he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23At about that time there was no small disturbance in Ephesus concerning the Way.
24A certain silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver statues of Artemis, brought in much business for the craftsmen.
25So he gathered together the workmen of that occupation and said, “Sirs, you know that in this business we make much money.
26You see and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people. He is saying that there are no gods that are made with hands.
27Not only is there danger that our trade will no longer be needed, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be considered worthless. Then she would even lose her greatness, she whom all Asia and the world worships.”
28When they heard this, they were filled with anger and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”
29The whole city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed together into the theater. They had seized Paul's travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, who came from Macedonia.
30Paul wanted to enter in among the crowd of people, but the disciples prevented him.
31Also, some of the officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message strongly requesting him not to enter the theater.
32Some people were shouting one thing, and some another, for the crowd was in confusion. Most of them did not even know why they had come together.
33Some of the crowd informed Alexander, whom the Jews were pushing to the front, and so Alexander motioned with his hand, wanting to give an explanation to those who were assembled.
34But when they became aware that he was a Jew, they all cried out for about two hours with one voice, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”
35When the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven?
36Seeing then that these things are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
37For you have brought these men to this court who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have an accusation against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.