Acts 19:21-40 - A Major Riot In Ephesus
21 Now when these things were fulfilled, Paul decided in the spirit, after passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, having said, After becoming there, I must also see Rome. 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who help him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 And about that time there developed no small stir about the Way. 24 For a certain silversmith named Demetrius who makes silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little work to the craftsmen, 25 to whom also (having assembled the workmen about such things) he said, Men, ye know that our prosperity is from this work. 26 And ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this man Paul, having persuaded them, turned away a considerable multitude, saying that there are no gods made by hands. 27 And not only is this our part liable to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis is going to be regarded for nothing, and also her magnificence be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.
28 And when they heard this, having become full of wrath, they cried out, saying, The great Artemis of Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with the confusion. And they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul. 30 And when Paul wanted to enter in to the crowd, the disciples did not let him. 31 And also some of the Asian officers, being their friends, having sent to him, implored him not to give himself into the theatre. 32 Indeed therefore some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was confused, and most had not seen why they had come together. 33 And they urged forward Alexander out of the multitude, having put him forward from the Jews. And Alexander having waved his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But after recognizing that he was a Jew, one voice developed from them all, crying out for about two hours, The great Artemis of Ephesians.
35 And when the town clerk calmed the multitude, he says, Ephesian men, now who is the man who does not know the city of the Ephesians being temple-guardian of the great goddess Artemis, and of what fell from Zeus? 36 Therefore these things being undeniable, ye ought to be restrained, and do nothing rash. 37 For ye brought these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blaspheming your goddess. 38 Indeed therefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen with him, have a matter against any man, forums are brought, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse each other. 39 And if ye seek anything about other things, it will be decided in the assembly within law. 40 For we are also in danger to be accused about the uproar today, there being no cause about which we can give account of this commotion.