23
About that time there occurrednosmalldisturbanceconcerning1the Way.
24
For a mannamedDemetrius, a silversmith, who madesilvershrines of Artemis, 2was bringingnolittlebusiness to the craftsmen;
25
these he gatheredtogether with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperitydepends* upon thisbusiness.
26
"You see and hear that not only in 3Ephesus, but in almostall of 4Asia, thisPaul has persuaded and turnedaway a considerablenumber of people, saying that 5gods made with hands are nogods at all.
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"Not only is there danger that thistrade of oursfall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the greatgoddessArtemis be regarded as worthless and that she whomall of 6Asia and 7the worldworship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."
28
When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the 8Ephesians!"
29
The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with oneaccord into the theater, draggingalong9Gaius and 10Aristarchus, Paul'straveling11companions from 12Macedonia.
30
And when Paulwanted to go into the assembly, 13the disciples would not let him.
31
Alsosome of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture* into the theater.