²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.^{(A) 26} And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus^(B) and in practically the whole province of Asia.^(C) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.^{(D) 27} There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”^{(E) 29} Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius^(F) and Aristarchus,^(G) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,^(H) and all of them rushed into the theater together. ³⁰ Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples^(I) would not let him. ³¹ Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

³² The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.^(J) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. ³³ The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned^(K) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. ³⁴ But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”^(L)