Acts 19:23-41
21st Century King James Version
23 And the same time, there arose no small stir about that Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen.
25 These he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover, ye see and hear that, not alone at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands,
27 so that not only this our craft is in danger of being set at nought, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth.”
28 And when they heard these things, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion and, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia who were Paul’s companions in his travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the Asian chiefs, who were his friends, sent unto him, urging that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the greater part knew not why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out from the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made his defense unto the people;
34 but when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for about the space of two hours cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, “Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly;
37 for ye have brought hither these men who are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against any man, the law is open and there are deputies. Let them implead one another.
39 But if ye inquire of anything concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we can give an account of this concourse.”
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
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Acts 19:23-41
American Standard Version
23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [a]Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. 26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands: 27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess [b]Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and [c]the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is [d]Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. 30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain also of the [e]Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 [f]And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defence unto the people. 34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is [g]Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great [h]Diana, and of the image which fell down from [i]Jupiter? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, [j]the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. 39 But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger to be [k]accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse. 41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 19:24 Greek Artemis.
- Acts 19:27 Greek Artemis.
- Acts 19:27 Greek the inhabited earth.
- Acts 19:28 Greek Artemis.
- Acts 19:31 That is, officers having charge of festivals etc. in the Roman province of Asia.
- Acts 19:33 Or, And some of the multitude instructed Alexander
- Acts 19:34 Greek Artemis.
- Acts 19:35 Greek Artemis.
- Acts 19:35 Or, heaven
- Acts 19:38 Or, court days are kept
- Acts 19:40 Or, accused of riot concerning this day
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