Acts of the Apostles 19:23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41
Acts of the Apostles 19:23 NLT
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.
Acts of the Apostles 19:24 NLT
It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy.
Acts of the Apostles 19:25 NLT
He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business.
Acts of the Apostles 19:26 NLT
But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province!
Acts of the Apostles 19:28 NLT
At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts of the Apostles 19:29 NLT
Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
Acts of the Apostles 19:31 NLT
Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.
Acts of the Apostles 19:32 NLT
Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there.
Acts of the Apostles 19:33 NLT
The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak.
Acts of the Apostles 19:34 NLT
But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts of the Apostles 19:35 NLT
At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. “Citizens of Ephesus,” he said. “Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven.
Acts of the Apostles 19:36 NLT
Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash.
Acts of the Apostles 19:37 NLT
You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.
Acts of the Apostles 19:38 NLT
“If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges.
Acts of the Apostles 19:39 NLT
And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly.
Acts of the Apostles 19:40 NLT
I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.”