The Riot at Ephesus

^21 (A)When these things were accomplished, Paul ^(B)purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through ^(C)Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, ^(D)I must also see Rome.” ²² So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, ^(E)Timothy and ^(F)Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

²³ And ^(G)about that time there arose a great commotion about ^(H)the Way. ²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of ^[a]Diana, brought ^(I)no small profit to the craftsmen. ²⁵ He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. ²⁶ Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that ^(J)they are not gods which are made with hands. ²⁷ So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and ^[b]her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

²⁸ Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized ^(K)Gaius and ^(L)Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. ³⁰ And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. ³¹ Then some of the ^[c]officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. ³² Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. ³³ And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And ^(M)Alexander ^(N)motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. ³⁴ But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

³⁵ And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess ^[d]Diana, and of the image which fell down from ^[e]Zeus? ³⁶ Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. ³⁷ For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of ^[f]your goddess. ³⁸ Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a ^[g]case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. ³⁹ But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. ⁴⁰ For we are in danger of being ^[h]called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” ⁴¹ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Journeys in Greece

20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and ^(O)departed to go to Macedonia. ² Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to ^(P)Greece ³ and stayed three months. And ^(Q)when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴ And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also ^(R)Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and ^(S)Gaius of Derbe, and ^(T)Timothy, and ^(U)Tychicus and ^(V)Trophimus of Asia. ⁵ These men, going ahead, waited for us at ^(W)Troas. ⁶ But we sailed away from Philippi after ^(X)the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them ^(Y)at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Ministering at Troas

⁷ Now on ^(Z)the first day of the week, when the disciples came together ^(AA)to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps ^(AB)in the upper room where ^[i]they were gathered together. ⁹ And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down, ^(AC)fell on him, and embracing him said, ^(AD)“Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. ¹² And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

From Troas to Miletus

¹³ Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had ^[j]given orders, intending himself to go on foot. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. ¹⁵ We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for ^(AE)he was hurrying ^(AF)to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on ^(AG)the Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, ^(AH)from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me ^(AI)by the plotting of the Jews; ²⁰ how ^(AJ)I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, ^21 (AK)testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, ^(AL)repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And see, now ^(AM)I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³ except that ^(AN)the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. ^24 [k]But ^(AO)none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, ^(AP)so that I may finish my ^[l]race with joy, ^(AQ)and the ministry ^(AR)which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

²⁵ “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am ^(AS)innocent^[m] of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not ^[n]shunned to declare to you ^(AT)the whole counsel of God. ^28 (AU)Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit ^(AV)has made you overseers, to shepherd the church ^[o]of God ^(AW)which He purchased ^(AX)with His own blood. ²⁹ For I know this, that after my departure ^(AY)savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also ^(AZ)from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking ^[p]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that ^(BA)for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

³² “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and ^(BB)to the word of His grace, which is able ^(BC)to build you up and give you ^(BD)an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ^34 [q]Yes, you yourselves know ^(BE)that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, ^(BF)by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ Then they all ^(BG)wept ^[r]freely, and ^(BH)fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, ³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Man’s Wickedness and God’s Perfections

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.