Acts 19:21-40 - A Major Riot In Ephesus
21 Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see! 22 And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia.
23 And there arose during that season no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For, one Demetrius by name, a silversmith, making silvershrines, of Diana, used to bring unto the craftsmen no little business; 25 gathering whom together, and them who in such things wrought, he said - Men! ye well know that, by this business, we have our prosperity; 26 and ye perceive and hear that, not only in Ephesus, but well-nigh in all Asia, this Paul, hath persuaded and turned away a considerable multitude, saying that they are, no gods, which, with hands, are made. 27 And, not only is there danger that this our heritage into ill-repute may come, but even that the temple, of the great Goddess Diana, for nothing, may be counted; also that, even on the point of being pulled down, may be Her Majesty, whom, all Asia and the habitable world, do worship.
28 Now, hearing this, and becoming full of wrath, they began crying aloud, saying - Great, is Diana of the Ephesians! 29 And the city was filled with the confusion; they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, carrying off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul. 30 But, Paul, being minded to enter in among the populace, the disciples would not suffer him. 31 Moreover, certain of the Asiarchs also, being his friends, sending unto him, were beseeching him not to adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Others, indeed, were crying out something else; for the assembly had become confused, and, the greater part, knew not for what cause they had come together. 33 Howbeit, out of the multitude, they bare aloft one Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward; Alexander, however, waving his hand, was wishing to make his defense unto the populace. 34 But, recognizing that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all for about two hours, as they cried aloud - Great, is Diana of the Ephesians!
35 Howbeit the town-clerk, having calmed the multitude, saith - Ephesians! why, who is there of mankind that doth not acknowledge the city of Ephesians to be temple-keeper of the Great Diana, and of the imagethat fell from Jupiter? 36 As these things, then, cannot be denied, it is needful that ye be calmed at once, and, nothing rash, be doing. 37 For ye have brought these men, neither as temple-robbers, nor as defaming our goddess. 38 If then, Demetrius, and the craftsmen with him, have against anyone an accusation, courts, are being held, and there are, proconsuls: let them accuse one another! 39 But, if after, something further, ye are seeking, in the regular assembly shall it be settled. 40 For we are, even in danger of being accused of riot, concerning this day, no cause at all, existing, by reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse.