Acts 19:8-41 ▼

8 And having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God.

9 But when some were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, having departed from them, he separated the disciples, reasoning every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

10 And this continued for two years, so that all those inhabiting Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God was doing miracles not being ordinary through the hands of Paul,

12 so that even soudaria or simikinthia from his skin were brought to the ailing, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits left.

13 And some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, also attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you? by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”

14 Now seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.

15 But the evil spirit, answering, said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about; but you?, who are you??”

16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit, having leapt on them, having overpowered them all, prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 Now this became known to all those inhabiting Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.

18 And many of those having believed were coming, confessing and declaring their deeds,

19 and many of those having practiced works of magic, having brought the books, burned them before all. And they counted up the prices of them and found it five myriads of silver.

20 Thus the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail with might.

21 Now after these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, having said, “After my having been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.”

22 And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he remained for a time in Asia.

23 And there arose at the same time no little disturbance concerning the Way.

24 For a certain silversmith named Demetrius, making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen.

25 Having brought them together along with the workmen in such things, he said, “Men, you? know that out of this business is our wealth.

26 And you? see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul, having persuaded them, has turned away a great many people, saying that they are not gods being made by hands.

27 Now not only is this business of ours endangered to come into disrepute, but also for the temple of the great goddess Artemis to be reckoned for nothing, and also her majesty to be deposed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 And having heard and having become full of rage, they were crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

29 And the city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed to the theatre, having dragged off Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travelers of Paul.

30 But on Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples were not allowing him.

31 And also some of the Asiarchs being friends to him, having sent to him, were urging him not to venture into the theatre.

32 Some indeed therefore were crying out one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused, and most did not know for what cause they were assembled.

33 And out of the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews having thrust him forward. And Alexander, having motioned with the hand, was wanting to make a defense to the people.

34 But having recognized that he is a Jew, there was one cry from all, ongoing about two hours, crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 And having calmed the crowd, the town clerk says, “Men, Ephesians, what man is there indeed who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper of the great Artemis and of that fallen from the sky?

36 Therefore, these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you? to be calm and to do nothing rash.

37 For you? brought these men, neither temple plunderers nor blaspheming our goddess.

38 Therefore if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are conducted, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another.

39 But if you? inquire anything beyond this, it will be solved in the lawful assembly.

40 And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection concerning this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason concerning this commotion.”

41 And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.