Study Desk

And the same time there arose no small stirre about that way.

For a certaine man named Demetrius, a siluer smith, which made siluer shrines for Diana, brought no small gaine vnto the craftsmen:

Whom he called together, with the workemen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we haue our wealth.

Moreouer, ye see & heare, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath perswaded and turned away much people, saying, that they bee no gods, which are made with hands.

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought: but also that the Temple of the great goddesse Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshippeth.

And when they heard these sayings, they were ful of wrath, & cried out, saying, Great is Diana of ye Ephesians.

And the whole citie was filled with confusion, and hauing caught Gaius and Aristarchus men of Macedonia Pauls companions in trauaile, they rushed with one accord into the Theatre.

And when Paul would haue entred in vnto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

And certaine of the chiefe of Asia, which were his friends, sent vnto him, desiring him that he would not aduenture himselfe into the Theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Iewes putting him forward. And Alexander beckened with the hand, and would haue made his defence vnto the people.

But when they knew that he was a Iewe, all with one voyce about the space of two houres cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And when the towne clarke had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the citie of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddesse Diana, and of the image which fell downe from Iupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to doe nothing rashly.

For ye haue brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of Churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddesse:

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftesmen which are with him, haue a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies, let them implead one another.

But if yee enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shalbe determined in a lawfull assembly.

For we are in danger to be called in question for this dayes vprore, there being no cause whereby we may giue an accompt of this concourse.

And when hee had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.