Acts 19:22-36

²²And having sent to Macedonia two of those who were ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed on for a time in Asia.

²³Now there arose during that time a serious disturbance concerning the Way.

²⁴For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, providing no little trade for the craftsmen,

²⁵whom he gathered, with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.

²⁶And you observe and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great multitude, saying that they are not gods which are made by human hands.

²⁷And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, and is about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

²⁸And hearing this, and becoming full of anger, they were crying out saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

²⁹And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one purpose into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul.

³⁰Now when Paul desired to enter into the people, the disciples would not permit him.

³¹And also some of the officials of Asia, being friends with him, sent word to him and urged him not to present himself in the theater.

³²Then others were calling out something different, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.

³³And from the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and desired to make a defense to the people.

³⁴But recognizing he was a Jew, there arose one voice from them all, calling out for two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

³⁵And having quieted the crowd, the city clerk said: “Men of Ephesus, for what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image fallen from heaven?

³⁶Therefore, since these things are undeniable, it is necessary for you to be quieted and to do nothing rash.