Acts 19:23-41

Disciples’ Literal New Testament

There Is a Big Uproar In Ephesus Over a Decline In The Sale of Idols Due To Paul

²³ Now about that time, no small disturbance took place concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith making silver shrines^[a] of Artemis^[b], was bringing-about no small business for the craftsmen— ²⁵ whom having assembled-together, and the workers with respect to such things, he said, “Men, you know that prosperity for us is from this business. ²⁶ And you are seeing and hearing that this Paul— having persuaded people not only from Ephesus, but from almost all Asia— turned-away a considerable crowd, saying that the gods being made with hands are not gods. ²⁷ But not only is-there-a-danger for us that this^[c] part may come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted for nothing, and that she whom all Asia and the world worships may even be about to be torn-down^[d] from her majesty”.

Amid The City-Wide Confusion, Friends of Paul Are Seized

²⁸ And having heard it, 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 they rushed with-one-accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus— Macedonian fellow-travelers of Paul. ³⁰ And while Paul was wanting to enter into the public-assembly, the disciples were not letting him. ³¹ And even some of the Asian-officials^[e]— being friends with him, having sent to him— were urging him not to give himself to the theater. ³² Then indeed, other ones were crying-out another^[f] thing. For the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. ³³ And some from the crowd gave-instructions-to^[g] Alexander— the Jews having put him forward. And Alexander, having waved his hand, was intending to speak-a-defense to the public-assembly. ³⁴ But having recognized that he was a Jew, one voice came^[h] from everyone— crying-out for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

The Town Mayor Calms And Dismisses The Crowd

³⁵ And the town-mayor^[i], having calmed the crowd, says, “Men, Ephesians, who indeed is there of mankind who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper^[j] of the great Artemis, and of the image fallen-from-heaven^[k]? ³⁶ These things then being undeniable, you must continue-being calmed^[l] and doing nothing reckless— ³⁷ for you brought here these men being neither temple-robbers nor ones blaspheming our goddess. ³⁸ So indeed if Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, courts are being led^[m], and there are proconsuls. Let them bring-a-charge against one another. ³⁹ Now if you are seeking-for anything further^[n], it will be settled in the lawful assembly. ⁴⁰ For indeed we are in-danger-of being charged with a riot because of today— there being no cause^[o] for it— in relation to which^[p] we will not be able to render an account for this gathering”. ⁴¹ And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.