Study Desk

About that time a major disturbance occurred in regard to the Way.

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

For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing considerable business to the craftsmen;

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business.

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

"You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

"Not only is there danger that this trade of ours will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."

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

When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began shouting, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's Macedonian traveling companions.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him.

And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.

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

Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly.

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

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

After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, "Men of Ephesus, what person is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from the sky?

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

"So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash.

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

"For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

"So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another.

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

"But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

"For indeed, we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real reason for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering."

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

After saying this he dismissed the assembly.

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