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Acts / The Ephesian Riot over Artemis
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The Ephesian Riot over Artemis

Acts 19:23-41

19
Chapter 19
23 And it happened that during that time there was no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a silversmith named Demetrius, who was making silver temples of Artemis, was providing the craftsmen no little trade. 25 whom having gathered together and the workers about such things he said: "Men, you know that from this work our prosperity is, 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a sufficient crowd, saying that gods are not those being made by hands. 27 Not only is this in danger for us, our trade coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis to be reckoned as nothing, and her majesty, which all Asia and the inhabited world worships, to be about to be taken down. 28 And when they heard this and became full of wrath, they kept crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 And the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one mind into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travelers of Paul. 30 But Paul wanted to enter the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. 31 But some of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to give himself into the theater. 32 Now others were shouting something different, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know why they had come together. 33 And from the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward. But Alexander, waving his hand, wanted to make a defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 35 But after quieting the crowd, the secretary said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there among men who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple warden of the great Artemis and the fallen-from-Zeus?" 36 Therefore, since these things are indisputable, you must remain calm and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, court days are held and proconsuls exist; let them accuse one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are even in danger of being charged with sedition concerning this day's events, with no cause existing for which we will be able to give an account of this riot. And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.